Japan’s Emperor & Empress Arrive in Ottawa

Monday saw Japan’s Imperial couple arrive in Ottawa, the third day in their eleven day official visit to Canada. They had spent their first days in the country touring the MacKenzie King estate outside of the Canadian capital, and now Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko were doing the duties of a state visit.

First, the Emperor and Empress were escorted by carriage, surrounded by the Royal Mounted Canadian Police, to Rideau Hall, the residence of Governor-General Michaelle Jean, the representative of Queen Elizabeth II.

“We cannot imagine a greater honor than the presence of their Majesties in Canada to mark the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Canada,” Jean said.

She went on to say that she and the Canadian people, “hope that your presence here in Canada in this year of celebration of our friendship will open the door to infinite opportunities for sharing with Japan, to which we are forever bound in our hearts and in solidarity.”

Our sincerest wish is that the memories that Their Majesties gather over the next few days will be added to those that His Majesty has kept from that visit, with our assurance that, as the Japanese-inspired proverb says, ‘No road is long with good company.’”

After talks, Akihito and Michiko planted a tree at the Governor-General’s residence to mark their visit. They also met with 150 Japanese-Canadians invited to Hall.

Many Japanese-Canadians were looking forward to see the Emperor and Empress, as two guests explained:

“I’m absolutely excited. It’s a very rare occasion, and my mother is very proud back home,” said Ottawa resident Minori Goto. “It’s very rare in Japan to see the Emperor and Empress. You really have to be a celebrity almost to see them so close.”

“In Japan, you rarely can see the emperor and empress this close up. It’s always behind bulletproof glass,” said Jane Hayami, who dressed in a traditional kimono and is a member of the Ottawa-based Emi-no-kai Japanese dance troupe. “It was quite an experience. They were quite elegant to look at and very down-to-earth.”

Later in the day, the Imperial couple met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

At night, there was a state dinner hosted by Michaelle Jean.

Thursday, the Emperor and Empress will be in Toronto, Canada’s financial capital. Later in the week, they will move on to British Columbia.