Charles & Camilla Arrive In Japan

Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, have arrived in Japan for the start of their 10 day tour of east Asia.

The visit to Japan was timed to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the Anglo-Japanese Treaty of Amity and Commerce. Japan Britain Prince

“We are here to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between both our countries,” Charles said in an interview with the public broadcaster NHK at the British embassy here after his arrival.

He said he was particularly interested in “going to some of the more rural areas of Japan which I’ve always wanted to see and never had enough time on previous visits”.

This is Charles’ first visit to Japan in nearly twenty years. The last time he came, he was with the late Princess Diana. The two were in Japan for the coronation of Emperor Akihito.

Charles and Camilla were greeted by Crown Prince Naruhito at the Tokyo International Airport. Later tonight, there will be a dinner for the royal couple with the Emperor and Empress Michiko.

Another reason the Prince of Wales is in Japan, is to discuss enviromental issues. Prince Charles is very active in global warming issues, and voiced his concern as the world faces a credit crunch.

“If we don’t pay very careful attention to the environmental challenges we all face, then it will be even more difficult, I think, to recover in the future our economic well being.”

The Prince is expected to give a speech tomorrow at a science museum about the environment.

In the speech, to an audience of business leaders and politicians, he will reflect on the joint work already being done by Japanese and British scientists, and emphasize the important steps which the big G8 countries need to take in the fight against climate change.

After five days in Japan, Charles and Camilla will move on to Brunei and Indonesia – although the Duchess of Cornwall is not expected to accompany her husband to Indonesia. She is to fly back to the UK because it is said she cannot handle hot weather. Also, she will have to prepare celebrations for Prince Charles’ 60th birthday in the coming weeks.