JAPANESE CROWN PRINCE AKIHITO AND PRINCESS MICHIKO WERE PRESENT AT LAST TUESDAY'S OPENING IN TOKYO OF THE 20-DAY OLYMPICS WORLD YOUTH CAMP. EIGHT HUNDRED AND SIXTY-ONE YOUTHS FROM EIGHTEEN COUNTRIES ATTENDED THE CEREMONY AT THE TOKYO UNIVERSITY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES.

THE PURPOSE OF THE CAMP IS TO PROMOTE INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE DURING THE OLYMPIC GAMES. ABOUT 1,100 PEOPLE FROM 25 COUNTRIES -- INCLUDING AMERICA, THE SOVIET UNION, FRANCE, EAST AND WEST GERMANY, WILL HAVE STAYED IN THE CAMP BEFORE THE GAMES END ON OCTOBER 24TH.

THE CROWN PRINCE STRESSED IN A CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE THAT THE OBJECT OF THE CAMP WAS "THE FURTHERANCE OF INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AMONG THE YOUTHS OF THE WORLD THROUGH COMMUNAL LIFE".