JP Crown Prince Akishino heads to Thailand to receive honorary degree

On Wednesday, Japanese Crown Prince Akishino has departed for Thailand, where he will receive an honorary doctorate in animal science from one of the country's national universities. The Imperial Household Agency says Naresuan University, known for its studies on chickens, decided in 2019 to grant the Crown Prince an honorary doctorate in recognition of his academic research on chickens and fishes. 

But the award ceremony was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency said it will be the 12th time that the Crown Prince has received an honorary degree from a university in Thailand. 

It also says the Crown Prince will attend a party hosted by the university and look at a research exhibition organized by the faculty of agriculture. The Crown Prince is scheduled to return to Japan on Friday.