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Japan Emperor Naruhito to pay state visit to Britain
LONDON, Jan 14, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Japan’s Emperor Naruhito will pay a state
visit to Britain in the coming months, British officials announced on
Tuesday, in the first state visit after the country leaves the European
Union.
Britain is set to leave the bloc on January 31 after nearly 50 years and
has begun to tilt its diplomatic and economic attention more towards the rest
of the world.
“Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan have accepted an
invitation from Her Majesty The Queen to pay a state visit to the United
Kingdom in spring 2020,” said a brief statement from Buckingham Palace.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will stay at Windsor Castle, west of
London.
It will be the third Japanese state visit to Britain under the reign of 93-
year-old Queen Elizabeth II, who has been on the throne since 1952.
She hosted emperor Hirohito in 1971 and his eldest son emperor Akihito in
1998.
Naruhito, 59, acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1 last year
following the abdication of his father, Akihito.
Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip paid a state visit to Japan
in 1975. They no longer undertake long-haul travel.
After Brexit, Britain will attempt to strike trade deals with countries
around the world independent of the EU.
For state visits, Britain summons all its traditional pomp in a bid to
cement cultural, diplomatic and economic ties.
Queen Elizabeth hosts guests at a castle or palace and the red-carpet
visits typically involve ceremonial events, lavish banquets, cultural trips
and political talks.
The last state visit to Britain was made by US President Donald Trump in
June last year.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1515 hrs