Overview
- The Imperial Household Agency published photos Friday showing the Emperor and Empress at Tobe Zoo in Ehime Prefecture from their visit on May 17.
- The images include the 26-year-old polar bear Peace, who was the first polar bear in Japan to be successfully hand-reared.
- Keeper Takai Atsuhiro spoke with the imperial couple about the hardships of raising Peace and the bear’s current health.
- The couple also viewed an orangutan named Jennifer, who came from Indonesia as part of a Japan–Indonesia joint breeding and conservation project.
- The photo release frames the visit as symbolic support that could deepen public interest, aid zoo outreach, and strengthen international cooperation on species protection.