Japan Imperial Couple’s European Trip “Significant”: Expert

Tokyo, June 14 (Jiji Press)–Komazawa University professor Naotaka Kimizuka has praised the ongoing visit to the Netherlands and Belgium by Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako as “extremely significant.” The visit to the two European countries as state guests “will be a trip that further deepens the bonds formed over many years with both nations,” said Kimizuka, an expert on foreign royal families. “The trip to the two constitutional monarchies, both of which are original members of what is now the European Union, is extremely significant,” he added. The Emperor and Empress arrived in Amsterdam on Saturday on a two-week trip ending on June 26. Their family has strong ties with the royal families of both the Netherlands and Belgium. Japan’s relations with the Netherlands have seen ups and downs, as anti-Japan sentiment persisted over the country’s treatment of Dutch soldiers held in present-day Indonesia as prisoners of war during World War II. In 1989, then Dutch Queen Beatrix did not attend the “Taiso-no-Rei” funeral ceremony for Emperor Showa, called Emperor Hirohito during his lifetime, against this background, Kimizuka said. “It was only after she visited Japan in 1991 and the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita returned her visit in 2000 that good relations were established,” he continued. Kimizuka also said that Emperor Naruhito and Dutch King Willem-Alexander, both born after the war, have both tackled water issues, further strengthening their families’ friendship. Regarding the Imperial Family’s ties with the Belgian royal family, the professor explained that three Japanese emperors have maintained close contact with the Belgian royal family since the Showa period (1926-1989). In 1953, then Crown Prince Akihito, now the Emperor Emeritus, received a warm welcome from then King Baudouin I during his trip to Europe and the United States, Kimizuka said. Then Emperor Hirohito’s 1971 visit to Europe came true following an invitation from the Belgian king, the professor stated, adding that “Emperor Emeritus Akihito was especially close to King Baudouin I, who was of the same generation, among foreign heads of state.” “This bond has been taken over by current Emperor Naruhito and King Philippe in the next generation,” Kimizuka said. The next generation after them includes Dutch Crown Princess Amalia, Belgian Crown Princess Elisabeth and Japanese Princess Aiko, the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako. “Discussions are being held about a proposal to allow female members of the Imperial Family to remain in the family after marriage,” Kimizuka said. “Staying in the family after marriage would be highly significant also for the purpose of maintaining friendships with foreign royal families.” “I’m confident that ‘soft diplomacy’ of the Imperial Family and foreign royal families, conducted at a different level from politicians and diplomats, will be increasingly important as the world order undergoes major changes,” he said. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]