Brussels, June 20 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrived in Belgium on Saturday, following the conclusion of their state visit to the Netherlands. Landing at the Melsbroek Air Base of the Belgian Air Force near Brussels, the Imperial couple kicked off their state visit to Belgium. They last visited the country in 1999. Belgian military fighter jets escorted the aircraft carrying the couple through the country’s airspace. At the air base, Belgian Princess Elisabeth, the eldest daughter of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde and first in line to the throne, welcomed the Emperor and Empress, who smiled and exchanged handshakes with her after descending the steps of the government plane. It was the princess’s first official duty hosting a state guest, according to informed sources. The couple will stay at the Royal Castle of Ciergnon, a retreat of the Belgian royal family, until Monday. On Tuesday, they will attend a welcome ceremony and a banquet hosted by the King and Queen. After visiting the Brussels city hall and imec, a semiconductor research and development center, the Emperor and Empress will return to Japan on Friday. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
Japan’s Emperor, Empress Arrive in Belgium
Related Posts
ME: poll, majority of Israelis do not want Netanyahu to run again
(Adnkronos) – The majority of Israelis believe that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should leave politics and not run again in new national elections. This is revealed by a Channel 12 poll, according to which 59% of respondents believe Netanyahu should not run
Pakistan, double bomb attack in the northwest: at least 7 dead
(Adnkronos) – At least 7 dead and several injured is the toll of a double bomb attack that occurred in the Bannu district, in northwestern Pakistan, in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. According to police reconstruction, a first explosion caused by a device
