Brigitte Macron experienced a true initiation into traditional arts during a visit to Japan: theater, calligraphy, and pottery punctuated her day at Harumi High School in Tokyo. You will discover how the First Lady engaged with students and teaching staff, true to her priorities for education and the fight against school bullying.
In brief: visit to Harumi High School on April 1, 2026, workshops on Japanese theater, calligraphy, and pottery, exchange with teachers, participation in the state visit from March 31 to April 2, and official lunch with Emperor Naruhito on April 2. For details on the workshops and key moments, refer to the press reports and analyses available online.
Immersion at Harumi High School: Japanese theater and educational exchanges
At the heart of this prestigious Japanese school, Brigitte Macron attended a Japanese theater class, a discipline dear to her, and shared a moment of exchange with teachers about bullying prevention. The visit, tightly scheduled, allowed for concrete dialogue on school programs and methods for supporting adolescents. This moment underscored the importance of the link between culture and education.
Calligraphy and pottery: a true initiation into traditional arts
The First Lady was introduced to Japanese calligraphy and attended a pottery lesson, illustrating her interest in Japanese heritage. These workshops, complemented by a demonstration of traditional music and a karuta card duel, show the central place of traditional arts in education. To better understand the school practice of calligraphy, the local resource provides useful historical context.
A three-day state visit blending protocol and Japanese culture
The official stay, from March 31 to April 2, 2026, culminated in a lunch at the Imperial Élysée in the presence of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako on April 2. Brigitte Macron accompanied Emmanuel Macron during cultural meetings, notably with artist Kunihiko Moriguchi, and participated in the welcoming ceremony organized by Japanese authorities. This brief format combined diplomacy, Japanese heritage, and educational exchanges.
To learn more about the behind-the-scenes of the trip, the workshops at Harumi High School, and positions on education, refer to the detailed reports published by the French press and analyses available on specialized blogs. Find a complete dossier and articles dedicated to this visit, as well as Brigitte Macron’s commitment to youth, on the visit account and for a broader perspective on the tour in Asia on the dedicated state visit page. For additional images and reports, also discover articles from national press such as Paris Match and the celebrity coverage on Voici to complete your perspective.
