On Saturday, October 26, 2013, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan visited the National Sanatorium Kikuchi Keifuen in Koshi in the Kumamoto Prefecture.

According to the newspaper, Asahi Shimbum, the imperial couple met with patients suffering from Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy) as well as with hospital staff. 

This afternoon, Their Imperial Majesties visited the Minamata Disease Municipal Museum and Monument in Minamata also located in the Kumamoto Prefecture.