Japanese royalty to touch down in India after 53 years

NEW DELHI: Emperor Akihi to and Empress Michiko of Japan will be on a trip down memory lane when they arrive in India on November 30, exactly 53 years after their last visit to the country.

When the Emperor and the Empress arrived in India on November 29, 1960 as Crown Prince and Princess, the then President Rajendra Prasad received the duo at Palam airport, where they were presented with a Guard of Honour.

As a young couple, the imperial duo had a hectic schedule on the day of their arrival. The then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had a meeting with them and President Prasad hosted a banquet.

This time though, the 79-year-old Emperor and his spouse will spend a quiet day at Delhi’s Hotel Taj Palace when they arrive on November 30.

Five decades back, on November 30, 1960, Emperor Akihito had laid the foundation stone for India International Centre. They also visited the Palace Museum in Patiala, met Japanese farmers in Saharanpur, visited Srinagar and Buddhist sites around Gaya.

On their current trip, the Emperor and Empress will only spend time in Delhi. On Day 2 of their trip, the duo will visit Lodhi Garden.

After the ceremonial reception on Day 3 (December 2), the Emperor and Empress will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh besides visiting Rajghat and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). They will also attend a banquet thrown in their honour by President Pranab Mukherjee.

Emperor Akihito will visit IIC on December 3. Besides, the duo will make a trip to the Japanese school in Delhi and meet Vice-President Hamid Ansari and the Leader of the Opposition.