Crown Prince Akishino Visits Ichihara Elephant Kingdom, Observes Care and Training
Crown Prince Akishino visits Ichihara Elephant Kingdom in Chiba to observe care of nine elephants, watch a painting demonstration and ask staff about training.
Crown Prince Akishino visits Ichihara Elephant Kingdom
Crown Prince Akishino visited Ichihara Elephant Kingdom in Ichihara, Chiba Prefecture, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, to observe daily care and public programs for the facility’s herd. The visit, which included an appearance at an elephant show, was carried out in his capacity as president of the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The crown prince viewed demonstrations and spoke with staff about animal care practices during a scheduled tour of the zoo.
Observed care routines and elephant painting show
During the visit the crown prince watched keepers carry out routine feeding and hygiene checks on both Asian and African elephants. He also attended a staged demonstration in which an elephant held a brush with its trunk and applied paint to a canvas as part of an enrichment program. Observers noted that the demonstration is presented as a cognitive and motor enrichment activity rather than a performance, and staff explained elements of the training and welfare oversight.
Zoo houses nine elephants, largest in Japan
Ichihara Elephant Kingdom is home to nine elephants, the largest number housed at any facility in Japan. The group includes both Asian and African species, allowing caretakers to manage species-specific husbandry practices and social groupings. Facility representatives said the higher number of animals places additional emphasis on long-term care planning, veterinary support, and space management to meet international welfare standards.
Role as president of the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums
The crown prince serves as president of the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a role that frequently involves site visits to member institutions. His visit to Ichihara followed that mandate, officials said, as part of efforts to review animal welfare initiatives and public education activities. The association’s presidency positions him to observe firsthand how member zoos balance conservation messaging, research, and visitor engagement.
Personal interactions and cultural greeting
When the elephants raised their trunks in greeting, the crown prince returned the gesture with a Thai-style wai, bringing his hands together in a polite greeting. The moment underscored a personal, culturally informed engagement with the animals and the staff present. Photographs from the visit show the crown prince standing near the enclosure edge as keepers monitored both the animals and public proximity closely.
Staff response and questions about training
During the painting demonstration the crown prince asked staff, “How do you teach them to do that?” according to attendants at the event. Staff responded by explaining that such behaviors are taught through positive reinforcement and gradual training steps focused on animal welfare and choice. Trainers emphasized that voluntary participation and the animals’ wellbeing are central to the program and that veterinary and behavioral experts provide oversight.
The visit provided an opportunity for the zoo to highlight its enrichment and conservation work to a national figure, and staff used the occasion to underscore ongoing efforts in breeding, health monitoring and educational outreach. Officials at Ichihara Elephant Kingdom noted that public-facing demonstrations are part of a broader strategy to foster empathy for large mammals while supporting scientific husbandry practices.
The crown prince’s presence also drew attention to broader discussions about zoo management in Japan, including how institutions prepare for the long-term care needs of large animals. Experts cited at the site emphasized the importance of collaboration between zoos, aquariums and conservation bodies to ensure sustainable welfare outcomes and to share best practices across facilities.
The visit concluded with a brief tour of other exhibits and an exchange of remarks between the crown prince and Ichihara Elephant Kingdom staff, leaving staff hopeful that the engagement will reinforce public interest in zoo-led conservation and animal welfare programs.
