Japan's Imperial Couple Rekindle Ties With Dutch Royal Family

Jun 21, 2026 | News On Japan

AMSTERDAM - Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, on a state visit to the Netherlands, reunited with Princess Catharina-Amalia, the Dutch princess who was photographed holding hands with Princess Aiko 20 years ago, in a visit that highlighted the long friendship between the Japanese imperial family and the Dutch royal house.

The emperor and empress attended a banquet hosted by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima during their official visit as state guests.

Speaking in English, the emperor said, "I was fortunate to spend a wonderful summer holiday with Masako and our daughter Aiko at Het Oude Loo Palace."

He was referring to the summer of 20 years ago, when the imperial family stayed at a villa of the Dutch royal family.

At the time, 4-year-old Princess Aiko was seen holding hands with Princess Catharina-Amalia, the eldest daughter of the Dutch king and queen, who was then 2.

During this visit, the emperor and empress met Princess Amalia again for the first time in 20 years and enjoyed renewing their ties.

Princess Amalia, who is of the same generation as Princess Aiko, is now first in line to the Dutch throne and is expected to become queen in the future.

One episode involving the princess drew attention during a 2024 photo session of the Dutch royal family.

The focus unexpectedly fell on the family's pet dog, Mambo, seen at the right edge of the photograph.

An unplanned toilet break by the dog during the shoot softened the formal atmosphere.

Princess Amalia was seen covering her face as she laughed.

The princess is studying law and other subjects at the University of Amsterdam while preparing for her future role as queen.

"I think she will become a good future queen," one university student said.

Princess Amalia has also become the first woman in the Dutch royal family to undertake full-fledged military service.

The princess who once held hands with Princess Aiko as a child has grown into a woman expected to help lead the next era.

People in the Netherlands have warmly welcomed the visit by the emperor and empress.

At a royal warrant sweets shop in Amsterdam, staff were heard saying in Japanese, "We welcome His Majesty the Emperor!"

The visit, which traces the history of exchanges between the two countries, also quietly reflected on the difficult past they have faced together.

At the National Monument in Amsterdam, the emperor and empress offered silent prayers for the victims of war.

Speaking in English, the emperor said, "I sincerely hope that our two countries will continue to walk together under a shared wish for peace toward the future."

The imperial couple's visit to the Netherlands became a journey linking more than 400 years of history and friendship between the two countries to the next generation.

Typhoons No. 28 and 29 Bring High Waves to Japan's Pacific Coast

Two typhoons moving across the Pacific southeast of Japan are expected to remain well away from the Japanese mainland, but powerful swells could bring rough seas to a wide stretch of the country's Pacific coastline throughout the three-day holiday weekend, according to forecasts updated at 3 a.m. on October 10.

Cyberattacks Spread Across Japan

A series of cyberattacks has disrupted business operations and exposed millions of customer records across Japan, with a ransomware attack on a cloud service provider affecting 495 companies and local governments nationwide, while convenience store operator Lawson has disclosed a separate breach involving more than 2.15 million personal information records.

Japan's First 360-Degree Projection Mapping Opens in Osaka

Japan's first 360-degree projection mapping show will open at the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts on October 10, transforming the historic building into an immersive world of light, music, and seasonal imagery, with organizers hoping the attraction will also help stimulate the city's nighttime economy.

Tokyo University Professor Wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Tokyo University of Science professor emeritus Kenzo Soai has been awarded this year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry together with French chemist Henri B. Kagan for discoveries that transformed scientists' understanding of how chemical reactions can favor one of two mirror-image forms of a molecule.

US Military Halts All Okinawa Operations for 48 Hours

The US military suspended activities by all forces stationed in Okinawa for 48 hours from noon on October 7, an unusual measure following the arrest of a US Marine in connection with a robbery and murder case that has renewed scrutiny of crimes involving American service members.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Most Sightings of Fugitive Yoichi Hatta Reported in Kanto

Police in Oita Prefecture have revealed that the Kanto region accounts for the largest number of reported sightings of Yoichi Hatta, a fugitive wanted in connection with a fatal hit-and-run incident in Beppu in 2022, with authorities preparing to distribute new wanted posters nationwide from November as the search enters its fifth year.