Emperor, empress attend Hokkaido's 150th anniversary ceremony
Jiji -- Aug 06
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko attended on Sunday a ceremony to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Japan's northernmost main island being named Hokkaido.

Representing the ceremony organizers, Hokkaido Governor Harumi Takahashi said, "We'll hand down our invaluable hometown, Hokkaido, to people 50 years and 100 years ahead, with pride in a variety of values and attractions that have been refined by our ancestors over long years."

Local traditional performing arts including by the Ainu ethnic minority were staged, drawing applause from the Imperial couple.

The island, once called Ezo, was named Hokkaido in 1869 by a decree of the Meiji government following a proposal of explorer Takeshiro Matsuura.

Also at the ceremony site, the Emperor and Empress saw the largest complete dinosaur skeleton ever discovered in Japan, found in the Hokkaido town of Mukawa.

かつての蝦夷地が北海道と命名されてから今年で150年目に当たり、札幌市で5日、記念式典が開かれた。天皇、皇后両陛下も臨席され、アイヌ民族や道内各地の伝統芸能が披露されると、拍手を送った。
News sources: Jiji, ANNnewsCH