Society

Imperial couple host tea party in Kyoto

Mar 26 (NHK) - Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko have hosted a tea party at the Kyoto Imperial Palace to mark the Emperor's 30 years on the throne.

The couple arrived in Japan's ancient capital by Shinkansen bullet train on Monday.

About 200 leading figures in the Kansai region were invited to the party. They included representatives of the local authorities, renowned political scientist Makoto Iokibe, and singer Fuyumi Sakamoto.

At the start of the party, Hyogo Governor Toshizo Ido congratulated the Emperor on his anniversary. He expressed gratitude to the Imperial couple for visiting his prefecture and the surrounding areas affected by the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake.

The Emperor thanked the governor for the message, and said he is glad to spend time with guests at his ancestral home of Kyoto. The couple spoke with the guests for about half an hour.

On Tuesday, the couple will make a day trip to Kashihara City in neighboring Nara Prefecture. They will visit the Mausoleum of Emperor Jinmu, the legendary first emperor of Japan. Emperor Akihito is due to report on his April 30 abdication at the site.

Source: ANNnewsCH

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