William Visits Tsunami-Ravaged Region In Japan

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

By Rhiannon Mills, Royal Correspondent, Japan

Prince William has visited Fukushima four years after it was hit by a magnitude 9 earthquake and a tsunami that killed thousands and destroyed a nuclear power plant.

The Duke of Cambridge travelled by bullet train to northeast Japan as part of his six-day tour of the Far East.

Accompanied by Japan's prime minister Shinzo Abe, he went to the Smile children's play area in Koriyama, Fukushima prefecture.

The site features a radiation monitor outside to measure background radiation levels as a reassurance that it is safe to play outdoors.

The levels are currently lower than parts of the UK.

1/10

Gallery: Prince William's Third Day In Japan

On the third day of his trip to Japan, the Duke's first stop was public broadcaster NHK where he visited the set of a long-running historical drama - and was dressed up as a Samurai warrior

An actress on the show presented Prince William with a gift in Tokyo

]]>

He was also shown around the make-up department and got to check out the show's props, including a Geisha wig

]]>

The British Ambassador to Japan, Tim Hitchins, donned a samurai wig after William turned down the chance to wear it. "I'd never hear the end of it from my brother," he quipped

]]>

The prince also met the broadcaster's mascot Dodo

]]>

But as William looked at ease juggling for the children inside a ball pit, some saw it as a publicity stunt by Mr Abe to try and promote the area and his support of nuclear power.

In March 2011, an earthquake and tsunami destroyed large parts of the region and the nuclear plant went into meltdown.

For many months, parents were afraid to let their children outside, and 15 miles from where the Prince visited, an exclusion zone is still in place where people once lived and worked.

In the evening William wore a traditional casual kimono for dinner with the prime minister at a Japanese inn, a meal designed to show that food grown in the area is safe despite concerns about radiation.

1/11

Gallery: William's Second Day In Japan

Prince William starts the day with a tour of the Yokohama Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery

Defence Attache Captain Charles Ashcroft accompanied the Duke of Cambridge on the tour

]]>

Earlier in the day the Duke was playing dress up when he visited the set of Japan's longest running historical drama, Taiga.

As he was made to wear a samurai outfit complete with helmet, photographers joked "Harry would love this!" referring to his brother.

Hundreds of cheering and screaming Japanese fans also turned out to see him when he toured a bookshop in the trendy Daikanyama district of central Tokyo.

He sat and chatted with a group of Japanese schoolchildren, who had coloured in pictures of him in colourful samurai robes.

1/10

Gallery: Prince William On Four-Day Tour Of Japan

The Duke of Cambridge has arrived in Japan for the start of a visit to promote British business. Prince William boarded a speedboat for a ride across Tokyo Harbour after arriving at the airport

In rain and strong winds, the trip took in landmarks including the iconic Rainbow Bridge and the 2020 Olympic site

]]>

William then scanned one of them into a smart phone and an image popped up on a large wall screen, showing a frowning cartoon Duke.

He joked: "Who's that guy?" adding "Looking good! That's a strong look".

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Sumpah Serapan