http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/okotoba/01/kaiken/kaiken-h13e.html
天皇陛下の記者会見
＜英文＞へ
会見年月日：平成13年12月18日
宮殿 石橋の間記者会見をなさる天皇陛下
（写真：宮内庁）
宮内記者会代表質問問1 今年は国内外で悲惨な事件や事故，災害が相次いだ年でした。国内の景気も回復せず社会的な不安が高まっていますが，この1年間を振り返って印象に残った出来事や感想についてお聞かせください。
天皇陛下
経済情勢がますます厳しさを増し，失業率も高まり，国民の暮らしに大きな影響が生じていることを深く案じています。
このような状況の中で，稲を始め農産物は豊作であったことは幸いなことでした。ただ，狂牛病のために，畜産農家やそれに関連する産業が大きな影響を受けたことは残念でした。
今年は大勢の命が失われるような自然災害はありませんでしたが，それでも年初から今日までに総計70人以上の人が亡くなり，日本の自然の厳しさを感じます。
人為的災害としては，いくつかの痛ましい事件が起こりました。
2月には，宇和島水産高校の漁業実習船「えひめ丸」が米国潜水艦の衝突により沈没し，9人の命が失われました。家族の大切な一員を亡くした遺族や，学校関係者の気持ちはいかばかりかと察しています。遺体や遺品の引き上げに米国海軍が誠意を持って尽くしたことを多としています。
6月には，大阪教育大学附属池田小学校に痛ましい事件が起こりました。
9月には，世界貿易センタービルの破壊を始めとする同時多発テロが起こり，日本人24人を含む3千人以上の死者，行方不明者が生じました。旅客機を衝突させるという考えも及ばなかったような方法でこの事件は行われ，世界に衝撃を与えました。この事件に引き続き，テロの撲滅を目指してアフガニスタンに戦争が起こりました。ちょうど30年前，私どもはアフガニスタンを訪問し，カーブルを始め，今年完全に仏像が破壊されたバーミアン，激しい戦争が行われたクンドゥーズ，また当時発掘中であったギリシャ文化の遺跡のあるアイハーヌムも訪れました。最近，カーブルの女性が顔の覆いを上げて，喜びに満ちて映像に映っている姿を見るにつけても，この地にしっかりした平和が根付くことを願わずにはいられません。
痛ましい事件が相次ぎましたが，そのような中で野依教授のノーベル賞受賞と，イチロー選手を始めとする日本人選手の米国大リーグでの活躍はうれしいことでした。100年を超える日本の野球の歴史の中で大きな出来事であったと思います。
私自身が関係したこととしては，4月に阪神・淡路大震災の被災地を訪れたことがまず挙げられます。被災直後に被災地を回ったことを思い起こしつつ被災地を訪れましたが，皆が防災に心掛けつつ美しい街をつくろうとしていることに心強さを覚えました。察することのできない様々な思いがあることと思いますが，けなげに過ごしている姿に心を打たれました。
また，7月には昨年地震の被害を受けた新島と神津島を訪れました。島の急峻きゅうしゅんな斜面は，いたる所崩落の跡が見られ，訪れた小学校では崩落した岩石が校舎間際に迫っていました。今後，復興していくに当たり島の安全性が高められるよう願っています。三宅島は帰りのヘリコプターから見ましたが，雄山の頂は雲に覆われていて見えませんでした。全島避難から1年以上が経たちましたが，火山ガスの噴出は収まらず，帰島にはまだ相当の時間が掛かりそうです。様々な苦労があることと思いますが，島民が周りの人と協力し合い，体に気を付けて帰島までの日々を元気に過ごされるよう願っています。また，厳しい環境の中で復旧工事に携わっている人々の安全と健康を念じています。
6月には香淳皇后の一周年祭が執り行われ，度々お参りした吹上大宮御所の権殿も，それを機になくなりました。吹上大宮御所が寂しくなりました。長年にわたり香淳皇后に尽くした職員に対し深く感謝しています。
12月に皇太子夫妻に内親王が誕生したことはうれしいことでした。
現在，日本は経済情勢を始め様々な困難な問題を抱えていますが，戦後国民が荒廃から立ち上がり，今日を築き上げてきたことを考える時，これらの困難を国民が必ずや乗り越えていくものと期待しています。
来年が人々にとり，少しでも良い年であるよう願っています。
問2 先日，皇太子ご夫妻に待望の内親王が誕生されました。今の率直なお気持ちとともに，女性皇族の役割，立場の変化，今後求められるご養育の内容などについて陛下のお考えをお聞かせください。
天皇陛下
無事に内親王が誕生し，多くの国民が喜んでくれたことをうれしく思っています。関係者の努力に感謝する次第です。また，諸外国の元首からもお祝いの言葉を頂きました。
母子共に健やかな様子に安堵あんどしつつ，私どもが子供たちと過ごした遠い日々のことが思い起こされました。自然の流れで，私どもは子供を手元で育てましたが，公務と育児の両立という点で，皇后にとり子育ては長く厳しい年月としつきであったと思います。皇太子誕生の年に，私どもは米国，イラン，エチオピア，インド，ネパールの5か国を2度にわたって訪問しましたが，最初の米国訪問の時は，授乳期間をかろうじて終わっての出発でした。
皇后は，育児のために公務や私の生活に支障を及ぼさないよう常に心遣っていました。また，昭和天皇と香淳皇后が育児を許してくださったことへの感謝と，周囲の人々に助けられて育てているという自覚を常に持っていたことを，私はうれしく思っています。
現在，育児は技術面でも周囲の環境という点でも非常に恵まれたものになってきていますが，皇太子夫妻が初めての育児をするに当たり，様々な経験を経ていくものと思います。養育については，二人でいろいろ考えて事に当たっていくことと思いますが，内親王が健やかに育っていくことを願っています。秋篠宮の二人の内親王も両親の努力の下，よく育っています。三人の内親王が仲良く育っていくことを念じています。
皇族の立場について男女の差異はそれほどないと思います。女性皇族の立場は過去も大切であったし，これからも重要と思います。
しかし，今は新内親王が健やかに育っていくことが最も重要であり，家族皆で見守っていきたいと思っています。
問3 世界的なイベントであるサッカーのワールドカップが来年，日本と韓国の共同開催で行われます。開催が近づくにつれ，両国の市民レベルの交流も活発化していますが，歴史的，地理的にも近い国である韓国に対し，陛下が持っておられる関心，思いなどをお聞かせください。
天皇陛下
日本と韓国との人々の間には，古くから深い交流があったことは，日本書紀などに詳しく記されています。韓国から移住した人々や，招へいされた人々によって，様々な文化や技術が伝えられました。宮内庁楽部の楽師の中には，当時の移住者の子孫で，代々楽師を務め，今も折々に雅楽を演奏している人があります。こうした文化や技術が，日本の人々の熱意と韓国の人々の友好的態度によって日本にもたらされたことは，幸いなことだったと思います。日本のその後の発展に，大きく寄与したことと思っています。私自身としては，桓武天皇の生母が百済の武寧王の子孫であると，続日本紀に記されていることに，韓国とのゆかりを感じています。武寧王は日本との関係が深く，この時以来，日本に五経博士が代々招へいされるようになりました。また，武寧王の子，聖明王は，日本に仏教を伝えたことで知られております。
しかし，残念なことに，韓国との交流は，このような交流ばかりではありませんでした。このことを，私どもは忘れてはならないと思います。
ワールドカップを控え，両国民の交流が盛んになってきていますが，それが良い方向に向かうためには，両国の人々が，それぞれの国が歩んできた道を，個々の出来事において正確に知ることに努め，個人個人として，互いの立場を理解していくことが大切と考えます。ワールドカップが両国民の協力により滞りなく行われ，このことを通して，両国民の間に理解と信頼感が深まることを願っております。
問4 米国での同時多発テロでは，陛下が侍従長を通じ駐日米大使に弔意を伝えられました。自然災害以外での弔意伝達は異例であり，宮内庁でも対応を慎重に検討したと聞いておりますが，この間の陛下の胸の中の思いをお聞かせください。
天皇陛下
この同時多発テロは，極めて多くの無辜むこの人々の命を失う極めて異例な事件でした。その中には，救助に駆けつけた350人以上の消防士や警察官も含まれていました。
弔意伝達は，異例とのことですが，このような事件は過去にもなく，その事件そのものが異例であったと思います。皇室が前例を重んじることは大切なことと思いますが，各時代に前例のないことが加わっていることも考えに入れなければなりません。今回は，このことを踏まえて，侍従長を通じて駐日米国大使に弔意を伝えました。
問5 41年前の皇太子様のご誕生の際には，両陛下の子育ての様子が様々に報道されました。皇孫のご誕生は，皇太子ご夫妻の「プライバシー」の問題も含んでいますが，国民的な関心事であり，皇位の世襲を明記した憲法の規定からもすぐれて公的な事柄です。皇室の活動にも，公的な側面と私的な側面があると思いますが，陛下は双方の兼ね合いをどう整理し，考えていらっしゃいますか。
天皇陛下
皇族が，プライバシーを保ちつつ，国民の関心にどのようにこたえていくかということは，常に難しい問題だと思います。子供との関係で言いますと，私どもは，極力子供の私生活を守ることに努力してきましたが，一方で，皇室の子供が，健やかに育っているという姿を国民に見せてほしいという要請にもこたえていく義務があると思います。一回一回不安を抱えながら，二人して相談し，宮内庁とも相談してこの問題に対処してきたつもりです。これからは，皇太子夫妻が二人で責任を持って，周囲の意見を聞きつつ判断していってほしいと思っております。
報道上のことになりますが，プライバシーを守ることは，他人の尊厳を守ることであり大切なことです。また，プライバシーに関する誤った報道は，これを正すことは非常に難しく，時には，長期間にわたって誤った報道が社会に流れていくことになります。おかしな例ですが，私が「柳行李一つで」と皇后に結婚を申し込んだと今も言われていますが，このようなことは私は一言も口にしませんでした。
皇室の活動について公私の兼ね合いのことですが，私が育ったころは，未成年の皇族が公的行事に参加するということは，ほとんどありませんでした。私が公的立場への自覚を深めたのは，18歳で成年式と立太子礼を挙げ，その後，欧米諸国を旅したころからでありましたが，自分の役割を深く考えるようになったのは，結婚を境にしてでありました。比較的早く3人の父となり，その間に公務も増え，昭和天皇の名代として外国を訪問することもありました。私にとり，家族は大切でありましたが，昭和天皇をお助けし，国際儀礼上の答礼訪問を含め国や社会のために尽くすことは，最も重要なことと考えていました。皇后が私のそのような考えを十分に理解し，また，子供たちにも理解させてきたことを感謝しています。
私どもは，やはり私人として過ごすときにも，自分たちの立場を完全に離れることはできません。ただ，行事などで，立場上の必然性から天皇として臨む場合と，より私的に自分自身を高め充実した自己を作るために臨む場合とに分けられ，その比重は，前者の方に多く掛かっております。
関連質問問1 2番の内親王ご誕生に関連してですが，敬宮愛子様のご命名について，陛下は，選ばれた漢字と読み方についてどのような感想を持たれているかということと，今回，皇太子ご夫妻が実質的にお決めになったというふうにお伺いしていますが，陛下がご自分のお子様を命名されたときのことも踏まえながら，今回，どのようなお考えで，ご夫妻に委ねられたのかということを併せてお願いします。
天皇陛下
皇太子夫妻が一所懸命に考え，また，勘申者の意見も聞きながら考えたことで，名前というものは，やはり両親が最も深くかかわることが望ましいと思っております。ですから，そのような過程が一番良いのではないかと考えて，そのようにしました。私どもの場合においても，内々相談はありまして，昭和天皇もそのような形でお決めになっています。それでよろしいでしょうか。
問2 お名前の漢字と読み方について陛下のご感想は。
天皇陛下
それはさっき言ったように，皇太子夫妻がこれが非常に良いと考えていたと，一所懸命考えたこと，これはやはり良い名前であると考えるべきなのではないかと，こう思っているわけです。例えば，秋篠宮の時も相談を受けましたけれども，やはり今考えてみると，良い名前が付いたのではないかと，こう思っています。名前というのは，段々使っていくうちに，親しみを持ってくるのではないでしょうか。
Press Conference on the Occasion of His Majesty's Birthday (2001)
(Photo : Imperial Household Agency)
Date:December 18, 2001
Imperial Palace, Tokyo
(Imperial Household Agency Press Club)Question 1
A series of tragic events, accidents and disasters have occurred in succession both at home and abroad this year. The national economy is also failing to recover and anxiety is increasing in society. As Your Majesty looks back over the past year, please tell us about the events that have left a strong impression on you.
Answer 1
I am deeply concerned about the increasingly severe economic situation, the rising unemployment rate and the significant effects that this is having on the lives of the people.
Against such a background, it is fortunate that at least this year's harvests of rice and other crops were bountiful. Still, it is unfortunate that the occurrences of mad cow disease have made a major negative impact on livestock farming and related industries.
In Japan this year, although there were no single natural disasters claiming large numbers of lives, more than 70 people have died since the beginning of the year as a result of natural disasters, reminding us of the severity of Japan's natural environment.
There were several painful disasters resulting from acts of human beings.
In February, the Ehime Maru training vessel of Uwajima Fisheries High School sank after colliding with an American submarine, resulting in the loss of nine lives. My heart grieves to think of the feelings of the bereaved families who lost their precious members and of the school teachers and other related persons. I would like to acknowledge the sincere and unstinting efforts made by the United States Navy to recover the bodies and personal effects.
In June a painful event occurred at Ikeda Elementary School affiliated to the Osaka Kyoiku University.
In September, a series of simultaneous terrorist attacks occurred, beginning with the destruction of the World Trade Center buildings and resulting in more than 3,000 people dead or missing, including 24 Japanese. The world was shocked at these terrorist attacks, which were implemented with the unimaginable method of flying passenger airplanes into buildings. Following these attacks a war was waged in Afghanistan with the aim of eradicating terrorism. Exactly 30 years ago the Empress and I visited Afghanistan. Starting from Kabul, we visited Bamian, known as the site where the Buddhist statues were completely destroyed this year, Kunduz, where fierce battles were fought and Ai Khanum, then the site of an archeological excavation of Greek cultural ruins. Recently when I see happy pictures of women in Kabul raising the veils that covered their faces I cannot help but hope that in the future peace will firmly take root in that region.
While we saw a series of such painful incidents, we were all filled with joy to see the awarding of a Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Professor Ryoji Noyori and the successes of Ichiro and other Japanese players in the American Major Leagues. This was a major achievement in the more than one hundred year history of Japanese baseball.
Among those things that I was directly involved in and that left a strong impression, the April visit to the disaster areas affected by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake comes first to mind. Remembering my visit to the area directly following the earthquake, I went around the affected areas and I was strongly impressed by the efforts of the people there to rebuild their hometowns in exemplary ways while making every effort to prevent recurring disaster. Undoubtedly they are filled with diverse memories that we cannot even imagine. My heart was moved to see them carrying on so courageously.
Furthermore, in July I visited Niijima Island and Kozushima Island, which were damaged by earthquakes last year. All around the islands the steep mountainsides have collapsed and at the elementary school that I visited I could see that the fallen rocks had almost reached the school buildings. I hope that as the recovery advances the island will be made safer than before. On the way back I could see Miyakejima Island from my helicopter window, but the summit of Mt. Oyama was invisible below the cloud cover. Although more than one year has passed since the evacuation of all of the island's residents, the emissions of volcanic gas have not stopped and it appears that it will be a considerable time before the residents can return to their homes. I imagine that they still face many difficulties and I hope that the islanders, cooperating with the people concerned around them, remain in good health and keep up their spirits until the day comes when they can return to the island. I also pray for the safety and health of those who are working in a difficult environment to bring about the recovery of the island.
In June we marked the first anniversary of the passing of Empress Kojun. On that occasion the Gonden* was removed from the Fukiage Residence for Empress Kojun, which I had visited often, and the Fukiage Residence seemed lonely without it. I am deeply grateful to all those in her service who devoted themselves to Empress Kojun for so many long years.
In December the birth of the new Princess to the Crown Prince and Princess was a happy event.
Currently Japan is faced with various difficult problems, beginning with the severe economic situation. Still, remembering that after the War the people rose to the challenge of rebuilding from the devastation and created the nation we live in today, I expect that the people will overcome these difficulties.
I hope that the coming year will be a better one for everyone, as far as possible.
Noticea chamber where Her late Majety's spirit is enshrined until the first anniversary of her passing.
Question 2
At the beginning of this month, Their Imperial Highnesses The Crown Prince and Princess welcomed the birth of the new Princess. Please tell us frankly how you feel at this time and also your opinion concerning the role of female members of the Imperial Family, their changing position, and what Your Majesty considers will be the necessary content of their upbringing.
Answer 2
I was delighted at the outpouring of joy from so many of the people of Japan on the occasion of the safe delivery of the Princess. To all those who were involved in the birth, I would like to express my thanks for their efforts. We have also received congratulatory messages from many heads of states abroad.
In relief that mother and child are both healthy and doing well, I find my mind going back to the days when the Empress and I were young. In line with the natural trend of the times we brought up our own children ourselves, but to pursue both child rearing and official duties at the same time meant that the Empress had to spend long and relentless years and months, raising our children. In the year that the Empress gave birth to the Crown Prince, we traveled abroad twice on official visits to five countries, the United States of America, Iran, Ethiopia, India and Nepal. The first of these visits, to the United States, was just after the Crown Prince was weaned.
The Empress was always very careful to ensure that the process of raising our children did not entail any obstacles to our public duties, nor disturb my own daily life. I am happy that the Empress was always grateful to Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun for allowing her to bring up the children by herself, and that she was always conscious of the help she received from the people around her.
Although currently the practical aspects of child rearing and the environment surrounding child rearing have become much more convenient, I am sure that in raising their first child the Crown Prince and Princess will go through a variety of new experiences. I believe that they will carefully consider together and tackle each new experience. It is my sincere hope that the new Princess will have a healthy and happy upbringing. It also fills me with joy to see that the children of Prince and Princess Akishino are growing well thanks to the efforts of their parents. It is my hope that the three Princesses will grow up caring for one another.
I believe that there is no great difference between men and women in the Imperial Family as they perform their duties . The role of female members of the Imperial Family has always been, and will continue to be very important.
But above all else, what is of first and foremost importance for the new Princess for now is that she may grow well and healthy and I would like our whole family to watch over her.
Question 3
Next year Japan and the Republic of Korea will co-host the global event, the 2002 FIFA World Cup. As the tournament draws ever nearer, exchange on a person-to-person level between the two countries is intensifying. Could Your Majesty tell us of any interests or thoughts you have concerning the Republic of Korea, which both historically and geographically is Japan's close neighbor?
Answer 3
That the people of Korea and Japan have from ages past had deep interchange is recorded in detail in the Nihon Shoki(Chronicles of Japan,compiled in 720), among other historical records. Those who immigrated or were invited to come to Japan from Korea introduced culture and technology. Of the musicians in the Music Department of the Imperial Household Agency, some are direct descendants of musicians who came over to Japan from Korea at that time, and have inherited the music for generations and still perform the Gagaku (Imperial Court Music) on various occasions. It was truly fortunate that such culture and technology was brought to Japan through the enthusiasm of Japanese people and the friendly attitude of the Korean people. I also believe that it contributed greatly to Japan's subsequent development. I, on my part, feel a certain kinship with Korea, given the fact that it is recorded in the Shoku Nihongi (Chronicles of Japan, compiled in 797), that the mother of Emperor Kammu (reign 781~806) was of the line of King Muryong (reign 501~523) of the Kingdom of Paekche*. King Muryong had strong relations with Japan, and it was from his time that masters of the Five Chinese Classics (books compiling the teaching of Confucianism) were invited to Japan one after another to teach Confucianism. King Song Myong(reign 523~554), son of King Muryong, is recognized as the one who introduced Buddhism to Japan.
It is regrettable however that Japan's exchanges with Korea have not all been of this kind. This is something that we should never forget.
The FIFA World Cup 2002 is an event that is further energizing exchange between the peoples of the two countries. In order that this course be followed through, I believe that it is important that the people of both countries try to understand correctly the individual course of events that their respective countries have followed and that they each understand on a person-to-person basis the other's position. I hope that the World Cup will, through cooperation between the two peoples, run smoothly and that this will result in enhancing understanding and mutual trust between the Japanese and Korean people.
NoticePaekche is one of three kingdoms of ancient korea.It is said to have been established in 18B.C. and perished in 660A.D.
Question 4
Concerning the series of terrorist attacks in the United States of America, Your Majesty conveyed a message of condolence to the United States Ambassador to Japan through the good offices of the Grand Chamberlain. It is extraordinary for you to convey your condolences in cases other than natural disasters and I have heard that the Imperial Household Agency considered this matter carefully. What were Your Majesty's innermost feelings on this issue?
Answer 4
This totally unprecedented series of terrorist attacks claimed an overwhelming number of innocent lives. Of those people who lost their lives, over 350 were firefighters and police officers who had rushed to the scene to rescue others.
Although you characterize the conveying of an Imperial message of condolence as extraordinary, I believe that this incident itself was extraordinary, nothing like it ever having occurred in history before.
While I believe it important that the Imperial Family faithfully follow precedent, we must also take into consideration the fact that unprecedented situations are added in each era. It was based on such a recognition that I consulted with various people concerned and conveyed a message of condolence to the United States Ambassador to Japan through my Grand Chamberlain.
Question 5
Forty-one years ago on the occasion of the birth of His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince, there were a variety of reports on the manner in which Your Majesties would raise your children. While the birth of the Imperial Grandchild is also intertwined with the issue of privacy for Their Imperial Highnesses The Crown Prince and Princess, it is also the case that there exists a good deal of public interest and the dynastic position of the Imperial Family is a very public role as clearly stipulated in the Constitution. While it is the case that there are both public and private aspects to the activities of the Imperial Family, what thoughts does Your Majesty have concerning the balancing of public and private?
Answer 5
The question of how the Imperial Family may maintain a degree of privacy while also responding to the interest of the people is always a difficult issue. Speaking in relation to our children, I would say that, the Empress and I did our utmost to see to it that our children's private lives were protected, but were also obliged to respond to the wishes of the people to see for themselves that our children were growing up well. Each time on such occasions we were beset with uncertainties but always intended to make a suitable response after considering matters together and then also consulting with the Imperial Household Agency. In a similar way, I would like the Crown Prince and Princess to take on the responsibility themselves and come to make their own judgements after consulting with those around them.
Concerning the media, I believe that to respect someone's privacy is very important since it is to respect his or her human dignity. Also, it is extremely difficult to amend incorrect reports that contravene personal privacy, and at times reports that contradict reality continue to circulate in society for a surprisingly long time. I may cite, as a rather funny example, the report that when I asked the Empress to marry me, I was alleged to have said, "All I need is you and your wicker trunk." In fact, no such words ever passed my lips.
Concerning the balance between public and private activities of the Imperial Family, members of the Imperial Family who had not yet come of age rarely took part in official activities when I was growing up. I, under such circumstances, came to be more conscious of my public position than before around the time of my Coming of Age Ceremony and Investiture as Crown Prince when I was 18, and the subsequent travel abroad to visit Europe and the United States. Later, it was when I married that I came to really deepen my awareness of my own public role. At a relatively young age I became the father of three children and during the same period my official duties also increased, including my travels overseas in an official capacity representing the Emperor. For me, family was important, but to do my utmost for the nation and society in assistance to Emperor Showa, including those return visits I made in accordance with international protocol, took precedence over all else. I am grateful to the Empress for fully understanding these sentiments and for making our children understand them as well.
We cannot completely remove ourselves from our public position even during the time we spend privately. If I were to divide my public activities into two categories, one being those I perform as a matter of course in my position as Emperor, and the other being those which are meant to elevate my personal capacities and develop myself more fully, overwhelming weight rests with the former category.
Related Question
What are Your Majesty's impressions of the Chinese characters and their readings for the Princess' name Toshinomiya Aiko? Furthermore, I understand that it was actually Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Princess who decided, but given Your Majesty's experience in naming three children during your days as Crown Prince, what did you have in mind in leaving the Crown Prince and Princess to select the name?
Answer
The Crown Prince and Princess gave thorough thought to this while consulting the views of scholars concerned. I think it best that the parents be the most deeply involved in selecting the name of a child. That is why I thought that such a process was the best and that is what was done. In our case too, we informally discussed the names of our children with Emperor Showa, who also selected the names in the same way as this.
Question
What are Your Majesty's thoughts on the Chinese characters and their readings?
Answer
As I just said the Crown Prince and Princess thought that this was a good name, and as they gave such careful consideration, I feel that after all we ought to think of it as a good name. For example, I was also consulted when Prince Akishino was selecting names for his children, and thinking over it now, I feel that good names were selected. It seems to be the case that as one repeats a name on various occasions over time, it acquires the warmth of intimacy.
