EDITORIAL | Imperial Visit to UK Keeps Ties Alive for Younger Generation

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako began their imperial visit to the United Kingdom on June 22. At a press conference before the trip, the Emperor said, "Mindful of the history of exchanges between the United Kingdom and Japan, I hope to use this visit to further deepen the ties of friendship that bind us." 

Both Japan and the UK have constitutional monarchies. Therefore, the deepening of interchanges between the two royal houses holds great significance. The people of Japan are delighted that this state visit will serve to strengthen ties between Japan and the UK. 

It is the first visit by the Emperor and Empress to the UK since September 2022. At that time, they attended the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. 

Among the official events during their three-day state visit, the imperial couple attended a welcome ceremony and dinner at the invitation of King Charles. On a private basis while still in the UK, they will visit the University of Oxford on June 28. That is where the Emperor studied from 1983 to 1985. Likewise, it is where the empress studied from 1988 to 1990 when she was with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They are scheduled to return to Japan on June 29. 

During the emperor's absence from Japan, Crown Prince Akishino will temporarily act in his place in carrying out state duties. 

155 Years of History and Exchanges

The history of interchanges between the two royal houses spans 155 years. It began when Prince Alfred, the second oldest son of Queen Victoria, visited Japan in 1869. Later, in 1921 when he was still crown prince, the Showa Emperor (Hirohito) visited the UK. There, King George V gave him pointers on how to act appropriately as a constitutional monarch. 

The royal houses of Japan and the United Kingdom have played a key role in mending bilateral ties when they deteriorated before and during World War II. When he was still crown prince, Emperor Emeritus Akihito attended the enthronement ceremony for Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Then, in 1971, the Showa Emperor returned to the UK for another visit. And in 1975, Queen Elizabeth II came to Japan. 

These ties deepened even further in the Heisei Period. The first state trip for then-new Emperor Akihito and then-Empress Michiko was to the UK in 1998. In return, then-Crown Prince Charles came to Japan in 2019 for the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito. 

Significance of This State Visit

These repeated interchanges have served to foster amicable ties between the people of Japan and the United Kingdom. Consequently, the bilateral relations between our two countries are now among our best ties with foreign nations.

During his pre-departure press conference, the Emperor talked about his greatest interests for this trip. Those include the "history of interchanges cultivated with the UK and fostering interchanges among younger generations."

Regarding how such foreign visits serve to foster international friendship, he said, "I believe that to be one of the most important pillars of the role that the imperial family should play."

As citizens, we should be extremely grateful for those words. We sincerely hope that Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress will remain in good health and continue to promote friendly relations with foreign countries. 

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(Read the editorial in Japanese.)

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun