Portrait courtesy of Kunaichō (the Imperial Household Agency)
On Thursday, the Government of Japan announced that Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians will host an incoming state visit from Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan in mid to late June 2026.
The visit will take place on the occasion of the 160th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Belgium and Japan.
In a statement issued by the Chief Cabinet Secretary of the Government of Japan, Minoru Kihara, noted that exchanges between the Imperial Family of Japan and the Royal Family of Belgium have long played an important role in strengthening the close and friendly relations between the two countries. He added that preparations for the visit are proceeding following repeated invitations extended by the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium.
Diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Belgium and Japan date back to August 1st, 1866, when the two countries signed the Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation. The agreement was concluded during the final years of the Tokugawa period, at a time when Japan was establishing formal diplomatic and commercial relations with a number of Western countries following the end of its long period of relative isolation.
The Kingdom of Belgium was among the early European countries to establish sustained diplomatic ties with Japan. In the decades that followed, relations between the two countries expanded through diplomacy, trade, and cultural exchange.
In October 1921, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Hirohito of Japan, the future Emperor Hirohito, visited the Kingdom of Belgium during his tour of Europe. During the visit, the Crown Prince was received by King Albert I and Queen Elisabeth of the Belgians.
Exchanges between the Royal Family of Belgium and the Imperial Family of Japan have continued as part of the broader diplomatic relationship between the two countries. The forthcoming visit by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will mark the latest chapter in those relations.
Portrait courtesy of Kunaichō (the Imperial Household Agency)
In Tokyo, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan announced that Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan will host an incoming official visit from the President and the First Lady of the French Republic, Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron, on Tuesday, March 31st to April 2nd, 2026.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also noted that Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will host a luncheon at the Imperial Palace in honor of the presidential couple, which will be preceded by a meeting between the Imperial Couple and the presidential couple.
The Ministry added that the official visit is intended to “further strengthen Japan–France relations,” describing the partnership between the two nations as an “Exceptional Partner” founded on shared fundamental values and principles.
Portrait courtesy of Rijksvoorlichtingsdienst (RVD)/Anton Corbijn
Portrait courtesy of Kunaichō (Imperial Household Agency)
Photo courtesy of Rijksvoorlichtingsdienst (RVD
In Den Haag, it was announced that Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands will host an incoming state visit from Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan in the second half of June 2026.
The Rijksvoorlichtingsdienst (RVD) noted that the visit will reaffirm the longstanding relationship between Japan and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The state visit will focus on cooperation in areas including security, innovation, defense, economic resilience, and international law.
The relations between the two countries date back to 1600, when the Dutch ship De Liefde arrived in Japan. The ship’s pilot, William Adams, later entered the service of the Tokugawa shogunate and became one of the first Western advisers to the shogun.
In 1609, the Dutch East India Company established a trading post in Hirado. After Japan restricted most foreign contact in the seventeenth century, the Dutch remained the only Western traders permitted to operate in the country, relocating their commercial station in 1641 to the island of Dejima in Nagasaki.
Dutch merchants continued to operate from Dejima until 1859, when Japan reopened to international trade at the end of the Tokugawa period. The Dutch presence was maintained in part because their activities were primarily commercial, and they did not pursue missionary work in Japan.
During this period of limited international contact, exchanges between Japanese scholars and Dutch merchants and physicians contributed to the development of Rangaku, through which European scientific and medical knowledge entered Japan.
Modern diplomatic relations continue to reflect this historical connection. In 2000, Their Majesties Emperor Akihito of Japan and Empress Michiko of Japan paid a state visit to the Netherlands, marking the 400th anniversary of relations between the two countries.
In October 2014, Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima paid a state visit to Japan. In October 2019, the King and Queen attended the enthronement ceremonies of Emperor Naruhito in Tokyo. In May 2025, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander visited Japan to attend World Expo 2025 in Osaka.
Relations between the Royal Family of the Netherlands and the Imperial Family of Japan reflect the longstanding diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
Photo courtesy of the Kunaichō (Imperial Household Agency)
The Kunaichō (the Imperial Household Agency) announced that Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko of Mikasa will carry out a nine-day visit to Europe beginning on March 17th.
During her visit, the Princess will deliver a lecture on Tuesday, March 17th, at the Musée Dräi Eechelen in Luxembourg City. The event is organised by the Embassy of Japan in Luxembourg in collaboration with the National Museum of Archaeology, History and Art of Luxembourg.
Entitled The Art of Copying: Creating Reproductions for the West, the lecture will examine how Japanese works of art have historically been reproduced, studied, and presented outside of Japan. In Japanese art history, copying has long been regarded not as mere imitation but as a respected method of preserving artistic knowledge and transmitting cultural traditions across generations and borders.
The lecture is free of charge, although advance registration is required due to limited seating.
On Friday, March 20th, the Princess, who serves as Honorary President of the Japan Rugby Football Union, will attend the 14th edition of the Sainte-Dévote Rugby Tournament at the Stade Louis II in the quartier of Fontvieille in Monaco.
The international youth tournament brings together teams from around the world and promotes the educational and social values of sport. The annual event is organised in partnership with the Fondation Princesse Charlène de Monaco, established by Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco.
On Saturday, March 21st, Princess Akiko will preside over the opening ceremony of Journée du Japon à Monaco at the Jardin Japonais in the quartier of Larvotto in Monaco.
The event forms part of celebrations marking the twentieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Principality of Monaco and Japan. The two countries established formal diplomatic ties on December 14th, 2006, and have since developed cooperation through cultural exchanges and official visits between the Princely Family of Monaco and the Imperial Family of Japan.
In the evening, the Princess will attend the 70th edition of the Bal de la Rose to be held inside the Salle des Étoiles at the Sporting Monte-Carlo in the quartier of Larvotto in Monaco.
Princess Akiko’s visit reflects the continuing cultural and diplomatic exchanges between Japan and several European countries. Members of the Imperial Family of Japan frequently undertake academic, cultural, and charitable engagements abroad, which contribute to promoting Japanese culture and strengthening international ties.
On Tuesday, April 19, 2022, Emperor Naruhito of Japan planted seedlings (hand sowing) in the back gardens at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
According to NTV Japan, Emperor Naruhito planted:
“…two types of rice Uruchi rice and Mangetsumochi made from glutinous rice.
His Majesty, wearing a gray jumper and black walking shoes, carefully sprinkled the seeds in a small basket evenly over the plot. Rice cultivation at the Imperial Palace was started by Emperor Showa and passed on to his heirs. Emperor Naruhito values rice cultivation, which is the center of Japanese farming culture.
The seedlings grown from seed will be planted by the Emperor in the paddy field in the middle of next month, and the rice harvested in the fall will be used for the “Niiname-no-Matsuri” of the Miyanaka ritual, and the rooted rice will also be used for the Shinto ritual of Ise Jingu.”
If you’re interested in learning more about the Japanese method of rice farming, which is actually quite interesting, please click here.
On Friday, December 9, 2016, Her Imperial Highness Crown Princess Masako of Japan celebrated her 53rd birthday.
In honor of her birthday the Imperial Household Agency released new photos as well as video of the beautiful crown princess with her family, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan and Her Imperial Highness Princess Aiko of Japan.
The crown princess also released a statement regarding her thoughts about this past year. Here is what she had to say (rough translation):
“In the past year, there were various things both inside and outside of the country. Floods caused by the Kumamoto earthquake in April, the typhoon in the summer, and many other natural disasters that occurred abroad. I express my heartfelt condolences to the people who passed away in unhappiness and their bereaved families. Also, I wish to express my condolences for the hardships of the affected people as well as I pray from the bottom of my heart that I can return to life I can relieve as soon as possible. The occurrence of an earthquake of seismic intensity 7 in Kumamoto Prefecture was an unexpected thing, my heart ached from the magnitude of the damage. Also, since the big aftershocks lasted for a long period of time, I think that many people had a hard time thinking.
East Japan great earthquake disaster is also always getting hung up on my mind. In June, I visited Iwate Prefecture with Prince Crown Prince for visit to the reconstruction situation, I realized that the reconstruction is progressing steadily, such as the development of disaster public housing and housing estates progressed . On the other hand, my heart felt painfully as I heard stories about the difficulties continuing from people living in temporary housing now. Furthermore, in such a situation, I knew that Typhoon No. 10 brought about major damage to Iwaizumi Iwaizumi Town and Hokkaido, I thought about the magnitude of the impact the people suffered. Also, in recent years, it seems that there are a lot of large-scale disasters, I feel once again the importance of preparation for daily disasters. I hope that those affected will be able to live peacefully as soon as possible and I would like to keep in mind the restoration of the afflicted areas for a long time with the Crown Prince.
The bright topic of the year was that the Japanese team won great performances at the Rio Olympics and the Paralympics during the summer and that Dr. Yoshinori Osumi was awarded the Nobel Prize for physiology and medicine in autophagy research I will. And the selection of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, which was established in 1965 as a Nobel Prize in Asia, was chosen as a proof that international contributions by Japanese young people are highly valued from the world, I am very pleased about these things.
However, in Japan, it is becoming apparent that people with disabilities, people who are socially vulnerable, such as children and the elderly, will be sacrificed, which is of concern. Even with looking to the world, issues such as poverty, the increase of refugees, the occurrence of many victims by terrorism, and so on are piled up. I feel that it is important for people to overcome each other’s differences with a broad mind, to gather wisdom together with hands and work together to solve various problems in the current world .
To the Emperor and Empress, I began visiting the Philippine country in January, I also saw how I was fulfilling my duties while carefully working each and every single year, deep emotion We are renewing our philosophy. And, the words of the Emperor in August this year, I have grasped the television broadcast with a solemn thinking, and I take it heavily for your Majesty’s feelings. I am praying to the Emperor from the bottom of my heart that every day I am very busy with my duties and I am treating my physical condition and treating my health forever.
In October, His Highness Prince Makasa Mikasa had passed away. To Mikasa Miya, I am feeling lonely, since I received my highness, Prince Crown Prince, me and Aiko as well as having taken care of me. I am rewarding this opportunity to express my appreciation of gratitude and my respect for my longevity and pray for the souls. Also, overseas, His Majesty the King of Bhumibol of Thailand had passed. I was deeply sorry for the citizens of Thailand because I was devoted to the Thai country for many years and I was deeply appreciated by the people, so it was a shame. About twenty years ago, I invited you to Bokkok, Bangkok which I visited on the way to the Middle Eastern countries that became my first foreign visit after marriage, for me, to host a deep and memorable heart-warming dinner party I remember old times. I sincerely pray for the souls.
Regarding myself, while paying attention to the physical condition this year, starting the ceremony of the Emperor Jinmu 2,600 years in April and striving to fulfill as much duty as possible for the public service inside and outside the East Palace I give up. Among them, I visited Chiba and Iwate Prefecture in June, Nara Prefecture and Kyoto Prefecture in July, Nagano Prefecture in August and Gifu Prefecture in November, welcoming a lot of people with a smile with a warm smile What I received was great encouragement for me. From now on, I would like to continue my efforts to recover while receiving assistance from everyone.
Princess Aiko is surrounded by many friends and lives a fulfilling middle school life, and this year, along with the Crown Prince and I, including the ceremonial ceremonial commemorative ceremony of Jimmu Emperor Yamanashi and “mountain days”, various events and places I also got more to go out. Through such things, I feel that I am learning the awareness and role as an imperial family. I entered autumn, I lost my physical condition, I worry very much to everyone. Indeed, I feel that my physical condition has recovered fairly now, I am working on study while sending important days of my remaining junior high school life carefully. I hope to continue growing more and more while accumulating various experiences from now on. I sincerely thank each of my majesties for rewarding this opportunity to watch over me and Aiko while having a warmest heartfelt than usual. We would like to express our gratitude to the warm feelings offered by the people as well.
We believe that the affected areas including the Tohoku area and Kumamoto are also experiencing severe winter cold. I sincerely hope that those affected by the disaster will be able to spend a calm and daily life with warm support from many people.”
On the morning of Wednesday, November 30, 2016, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan accompanied by Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan welcomed the President of Singapore, Mr. Tony Tan Keng Yam and his wife Ms. Mary Chee Bee Kiang, to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan.
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