On December 6, 2013, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan returned to Tokyo after a six-day official visit to India.
Upon their arrival at the Tokyo International Airport the emperor and empress were warmly welcomed home by Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan and Their Imperial Highnesses Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko of Japan.
On Thursday, December 5, 2013, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan continued their visit to Chennai, India.
This morning the imperial couple visited the Guindy National Park where they were warmly welcomed by hundreds of locals eager to see the emperor and empress.
Thereafter, the imperial couple visited the Tamil Nadu welfare association for the disabled according to Kyodo News.
On Wednesday, December 4, 2013, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan continued their six-day visit to India. This afternoon the imperial couple visited the Kalakshetra Art Academy in Chennai.
On the afternoon of December 3, 2013, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan held an audience with the Vice President of the United States, Mr. Joe Biden, at Tōgū Palace in Tokyo. Also, attending the brief meeting was newly appointed United States Ambassador to Japan, Ms. Caroline Kennedy.
According to the United States Department of State, Vice President Biden is currently on an eight-day visit to:
“…Japan, China and the Republic of Korea. The trip will underscore the administration’s strong commitment to the rebalance, and to our enduring role as a Pacific power. It is an opportunity to give lift to our treaty alliances and to advance our very important relationship with China.”
On Tuesday, December 3, 2013, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan continued their six-day official visit to India.
This morning Their Imperial Majesties visited the India International Center (IIC) in New Delhi “…fifty-three years after the [imperial couple] laid the foundation of the IIC…” according to the newspaper, Asahi Shimbun. During their visit the imperial couple met with various dignitaries and viewed a photo exhibition “…commemorating their 1960 visit…” Their Imperial Majesties also visited a Japanese school in New Delhi where they met with staff and students.
In the afternoon, Empress Michiko met with members of the International Board on Books for Young People while Emperor Akihito held a meeting with the Leader of Opposition in the 15th Lok Sabha, Ms. Sushma Swaraj.
In the evening, Their Imperial Majesties attended a gala reception held in their honor.
On December 2, 2013, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan continued their six-day visit to India.
The day began with a visit to Rajghat where they placed a wreath at the memorial of the late Mahatma Gandhi. Thereafter, emperor and empress arrived at the Rashtrapati Bhavan presidential palace in New Dehli where they were warmly welcomed by the President of India, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, along with the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Manmohan Singh and his wife, Ms. Gulcharan Kaur.
After the official welcoming ceremony and the inspection of the guards the imperial couple were ushered into the presidential palace where they held a meeting and attended a reception.
In the afternoon, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited Jawaharlal Nehru University. Whilst there the imperial couple met with Japanese and Indian students enrolled at the university.
In the evening, Their Imperial Majesties attended a gala dinner held in their honor.
On the afternoon of December 1, 2013, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan performed with the Gakushuin OB Orchestra at the Centennial Hall in Tokyo.
The Royal Correspondent 