Apr 25 (NHK) - King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden has expressed his hope to maintain good relations with Emperor Akihito and the rest of the Japanese Imperial family after the Emperor abdicates.
The king and his wife, Queen Silvia, met with reporters on Tuesday in Tokyo. The couple is visiting Japan to attend events commemorating 150 years of diplomatic relations between the 2 countries.
The king said he and the queen had a very nice reunion with the Emperor and Empress Michiko at a dinner on Monday.
The king also said he and the Emperor talked about the Emperor's abdication, which will take place next April.
The monarch said, "This is something the Emperor has decided and something Japan has accepted."
The king noted that the 2 couples have a long relationship, and he believes that they will meet on many different occasions in the future.
The queen said she and her husband have met the Emperor and Empress many times and know their family very well. She also said they had a very nice conversation at the dinner.
The 2 couples have known each other for many years. The king and queen attended the Emperor's accession ceremony in 1990.
Source: ANNnewsCH