Japan imperial couple to embark on historic visit to Mongolia in July
KYODO NEWS - 10 minutes ago - 12:37 | Japan, World, All
Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are scheduled to make a state visit to Mongolia from July 6 to 13 in what will be the first such trip by a Japanese emperor, according to a plan approved by the government on Friday.
During the trip, the emperor and empress will lay flowers at a memorial on July 8 to commemorate Japanese nationals who died while in internment camps there after World War II.
The Soviet military transferred around 14,000 Japanese detainees from Siberia to Mongolia following the war, and more than 1,700 died. The Japanese government later established the memorial near Mongolia's capital, Ulaanbaatar.
On the same day, the imperial couple is expected to meet with President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh and his wife after attending a welcome ceremony. They will then participate in a banquet hosted by the Mongolian leader that night.
The itinerary also includes their attendance at the opening ceremony of Naadam, Mongolia's largest annual festival, on July 11.
It will be the imperial couple's first overseas goodwill visit since they traveled to Britain in June last year.
The empress, who has long battled a stress-induced illness, may not attend every event out of consideration for her health, according to the Imperial Household Agency.
The couple will depart from Tokyo's Haneda airport by a government plane on July 6, bound for Ulaanbaatar.
The Mongolian president and his wife extended an invitation to the Japanese imperial couple during a trip to Japan in November 2022, according to the agency.
The emperor previously traveled to Mongolia as crown prince in 2007, when he paid respects at the monument.
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NHK
5 hours ago
- NHK
Japan's Emperor and Empress to visit Mongolia in July
It has been formally decided that Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will make an official visit to Mongolia in July. Their itinerary includes a visit to a memorial for Japanese nationals who died there after World War Two. The couple's trip to Mongolia for eight days from July 6 was decided at a Cabinet meeting on Friday. It will be their first trip to Mongolia as Emperor and Empress. They are scheduled to depart from Tokyo's Haneda Airport in the morning and arrive at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's capital, in the afternoon. The Emperor and Empress will attend a welcome ceremony on July 8 as state guests and meet with Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh and his wife, Luvsandorj Bolortsetseg, in a ger, a traditional tent-like structure, designed to host special guests within government facilities. They will attend a banquet at a hotel in the capital in the evening. The couple is also scheduled to pay their respects at a monument for Japanese nationals who died from hard labor and other causes after being detained by the former Soviet Union and sent to Mongolia shortly after World War Two. The Emperor and Empress will also have opportunities to learn the history and culture of Mongolia and to interact with local people. Toward the end of the trip, the couple is expected to attend the opening ceremony of Naadam, the national sports festival, and watch competitions in such events as archery and horse racing. Their itinerary also includes a visit to a national park where a rare horse species roams a vast expanse of grassland.
Kyodo News
5 hours ago
- Kyodo News
Japan imperial couple to embark on historic visit to Mongolia in July
KYODO NEWS - 10 minutes ago - 12:37 | Japan, World, All Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are scheduled to make a state visit to Mongolia from July 6 to 13 in what will be the first such trip by a Japanese emperor, according to a plan approved by the government on Friday. During the trip, the emperor and empress will lay flowers at a memorial on July 8 to commemorate Japanese nationals who died while in internment camps there after World War II. The Soviet military transferred around 14,000 Japanese detainees from Siberia to Mongolia following the war, and more than 1,700 died. The Japanese government later established the memorial near Mongolia's capital, Ulaanbaatar. On the same day, the imperial couple is expected to meet with President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh and his wife after attending a welcome ceremony. They will then participate in a banquet hosted by the Mongolian leader that night. The itinerary also includes their attendance at the opening ceremony of Naadam, Mongolia's largest annual festival, on July 11. It will be the imperial couple's first overseas goodwill visit since they traveled to Britain in June last year. The empress, who has long battled a stress-induced illness, may not attend every event out of consideration for her health, according to the Imperial Household Agency. The couple will depart from Tokyo's Haneda airport by a government plane on July 6, bound for Ulaanbaatar. The Mongolian president and his wife extended an invitation to the Japanese imperial couple during a trip to Japan in November 2022, according to the agency. The emperor previously traveled to Mongolia as crown prince in 2007, when he paid respects at the monument. Related coverage: Emperor renews peace hope in Hiroshima for 80th anniv. of war's end Princess Kako visits Iguacu Falls as visit to Brazil ends
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