Japan's Emperor and Empress Confirm UK Visit

Jun 04, 2024 | News On Japan

TOKYO - The Japanese government has confirmed that the Emperor and Empress will visit the UK as state guests from June 22 to 29. The decision was made at Tuesday morning's cabinet meeting.

The visit comes in response to an invitation from the British monarch, aiming to foster international goodwill. The Emperor and Empress will depart from Haneda Airport on a government plane on June 22, arriving in the UK later that afternoon local time.

On June 23, the Emperor will visit Japan House London, a cultural hub in the city. On June 24, he will tour the Thames Barrier, a facility addressing flood control, reflecting his lifelong commitment to water issues. During these two days, the Empress will rest to maintain her health.

On June 25, the Emperor and Empress will attend a welcoming ceremony hosted by King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla, lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey, and join a state banquet at Buckingham Palace.

The Emperor will visit the Francis Crick Institute, Europe's largest biomedical research facility, on June 26, and attend a dinner hosted by the Lord Mayor of London.

On June 27, he will visit Windsor Castle to lay flowers at the graves of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Both the Emperor and Empress have studied at Oxford University and will visit the university on June 28 before returning to Japan on June 29.

Previous state visits to the UK by Japanese emperors include Emperor Showa in 1971 and Emperor Emeritus Akihito in 1998.

Source: TBS

Four Dead and Six Missing As Typhoon No. 25 Moves Away

Typhoon No. 25 had left four people dead and six others missing in Chiba and Kanagawa prefectures by September 22, as the storm moved away from Japan and the extent of flooding and landslide damage across the Kanto region became clearer.

Typhoon No. 25 Continues to Disrupt Transportation

Transport disruption from Typhoon No. 25 continued across Chiba Prefecture on September 22 even as flights and major highways returned toward normal, with entire sections of the JR network remaining suspended for the day and all Narita Express services canceled because of flooding, landslides and damage to railway infrastructure.

Japan Pushes India to Final Ball in Historic Sano Cricket Match

Japan came within two runs of producing one of international cricket's biggest upsets on September 22, pushing reigning T20 world champion India to the final ball before losing a rain-shortened match at Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture.

Japan Secures More Medals as Asian Games Day 4 Intensifies

Japan's Asian Games campaign continued across a packed Day 4 schedule on September 22, with the women's badminton team securing another medal, the women's basketball team completing an unbeaten group stage, and Japan adding a historic bronze medal in mixed air rifle shooting as several of the host nation's biggest medal opportunities moved into the evening.

Japan Takes 12 Medals on Asian Games Day 3

Japan collected another 12 medals on Day 3 of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on September 21, with 17-year-old swimmer Shin Ohashi and karateka Kakeru Nishiyama winning gold, while the host nation also advanced strongly in women's volleyball, baseball, soccer, handball and hockey.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Japan's Elderly Population Hits Record 29.6%

People aged 65 and older accounted for a record 29.6% of Japan's population in 2026, the highest proportion among major countries worldwide, while the number of elderly people in employment also reached an all-time high as Japan marked Respect for the Aged Day on September 21.

Emperor and Empress Visit Ghibli Park

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited Ghibli Park in Aichi Prefecture on September 20, touring exhibits that recreate famous scenes from Studio Ghibli films and posing for a photograph with the character No-Face.

Four Teens Rearrested Over Fatal Assault on 17-Year-Old

Police in Kanagawa Prefecture have rearrested four teenagers on suspicion of murdering a 17-year-old high school student who died after being assaulted in Sagamihara in August.

Why Kansai People Go to Drinking Parties

Drinking parties remain a lively part of social life in Kansai even as younger generations increasingly turn away from alcohol and izakaya bankruptcies rise at a record pace, with customers describing the gatherings less as occasions to drink heavily and more as opportunities to maintain friendships, meet new people and build connections across generations.

'Tokuryu' Criminal Gangs Target Elderly Victims with Refrigerator Trick

Anonymous and fluid criminal groups known in Japan as "tokuryu" are adopting increasingly elaborate tactics, including a scheme in which elderly victims are persuaded to hide cash inside refrigerators before thieves enter their homes, as authorities struggle to combat networks whose members often have no direct contact with one another.