prince and princess akishino's youngest daughter princess kako attended the function for the first time. the emperor and empress are planning to visit the pacific island country of palau in april to pay their respects to the war dead. this year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of world war ii. japanese officials are arranging the visit for april 8th and 9th. emperor akihito and empress michiko will meet palau's president and his wife after a welcoming ceremony. they will also meet leaders of micronesia and the marshall islands at a reception in palau's largest town. those countries witnessed fierce battles during world war ii. on the second day the emperor and empress will fly to keliliu, a site where heavy combat took place. the imperial couple will pay their respects at a monument built by the japanese government and one dedicated to the u.s. military. >>> survivors and witnesses of a fatal new year's eve stampede in shanghai are demanding an investigation. they want to know whether there were enough security measures to manage the huge crowds. 36 people were killed, and 47 injur