Japan's Princess Kako leaves for Brazil tour
Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince and Princess Akishino, left Japan on Wednesday for a visit to Brazil. This year marks the 130th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The Princess will stay in Brazil from Thursday through June 15. The tour will take her to eight cities, including Brazil's largest, Sao Paulo. Her schedule includes welcome events hosted by people of Japanese descent.
Brazil is home to more people of Japanese ancestry -- about 2.7 million -- than any other country.
During the second half of her trip, the Princess will attend a ceremony and a lunch party in the capital, Brasilia, to commemorate the 130 years of diplomatic ties and to pay a courtesy call on President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Lula visited Japan in March as a state guest.
The two countries have designated this year as their friendship and exchange year.
This is Princess Kako's fourth official overseas visit.
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