Addresses by Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino(2019)

　It is a great pleasure for me to be with you all at this opening ceremony of the 29th International Cartographic Conference, being held on the theme of “Mapping Everything for Everyone”, with more than 900 participants from over 70 countries and areas.

　I understand that maps are the means for representing knowledge accumulated since ancient times in order to visualize spaces of diverse scales at a glance, from outer space, to land and sea on the earth, down to everyday living spaces. I have heard that cartography covers not only mapping techniques, but also embraces the theories and technologies for utilizing maps, and even extends to the use of maps in societies and cultures as well.

　In our complex and fast-changing contemporary society, knowledge tends to be fragmented, but maps represent this knowledge at a single glance and hence they enable us to grasp information comprehensively and holistically.

　I believe that this inherent characteristic of maps has a very important significance.

　This International Cartographic Conference was last hosted in Tokyo 39 years ago in 1980. During the intervening period, cartography has undergone a transformational evolution with the advent of digitization. Digitization and the penetration of the Internet are creating the environment where anyone can access maps anytime and anywhere, and freely visualize whatever anyone wishes to tell with a map.

　Surveying technologies that have underpinned this progress, also enable anyone to locate accurately where they are, owing to advances in satellite positioning systems.

　Furthermore, a part of the key mission of maps is to contribute to solving contemporary global issues, set out by the United Nations as the Sustainable Development Goals, by visually mapping regional comparisons of the achievement levels for each indicator for each of the SDGs.

　I would now also like to talk about my own involvement with maps, which have been an essential source of information for obtaining a proper understanding of geography.

　One of the themes of my research interests is “the process of domestication”. In particular, through understanding the multiple relationships between domesticated animals and humans, my major research theme is to explore and elucidate the factors in the whole process of domestication, which covers native wild progenitors, domestication itself, and the breeding of varieties that has occurred following domestication.

　As the main subject of my research is the domestication of junglefowls, the ancestors of chickens, and the breeding of varieties of their descendants, it is crucial to grasp the topographic features of a locality in order to conduct research.

　The way a hypothesis is formulated would be different if one were to use maps with contours compared with maps without contours. This is because by understanding what kind of geographical barriers isolate one culture from those of surrounding areas, one can infer the divergence between local varieties, including genetic and morphological variations.

　Moreover, when a bilateral joint research on this topic was conducted between Japan and Thailand, I was involved in tracing the behavior of chickens by applying a Wi-Fi positioning system. Present day advances in these kinds of surveying technologies are remarkable, and I share a keen interest in the presentations and exhibits at this Conference, which I have heard will also offer some insights into the new developments and usage of maps that deploy state-of-the-art technologies, including satellites and sensors.

　I have learned that this Conference will hold the “International Cartographic Exhibition”. This Exhibition showcases approximately 500 excellent maps selected from around the world for viewing in a single venue.

　At the same time, the “Barbara Petchenik Children’s Map Exhibition” will also be held, displaying map drawings selected from entries submitted by children.

　These exhibits, which will be open to the public, are expected to attract broad social recognition of the significance of cartographic representation. Also they will offer a splendid opportunity to convey to children, who represent our future, the importance and attraction of maps.

　To conclude my address, I wish to express my sincere hope that cartography will make further advances in the future, enabling it to contribute to the peace and safety of the world, and that this Conference will be fruitful and meaningful for all of you.