An Imperial Week in Photos: Emperor Naruhito Welcomes Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

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Their Majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited the Tokyo International Forum in Chiyoda Ward on May 22 to attend a ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases.

On May 27, Their Majesties received Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, who were visiting Japan as state guests.

Following a welcome ceremony held in the Imperial Palace's East Garden, the Emperor and Empress met with the presidential couple for about 20 minutes in the Take-no-Ma room of the palace.

According to the Imperial Household Agency, the Emperor recalled stopping in the Philippines in 1974, when he was still Prince Hiro, and told the president, "I still have a vivid memory of the scenery I saw from the airport, including the coconut trees."

The Empress expressed her gratitude to Filipinos working in Japan, among them those in the medical field.

Banquet Exchange

That evening, Their Majesties hosted a state banquet in the palace's Homei-Den banquet hall. The Emperor and Empress were seated at the center of the main table with President Marcos and the First Lady.

Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino and other members of the Imperial Family were also in attendance. Prince Hisahito, the eldest son of the Akishino couple, attended a state banquet for the first time.

*Princess Aiko and Prince Hisahito attend a state banquet at the Homeiden State Banquet Hall in the Imperial Palace on May 27.*

"There were difficult periods in the history between our two countries, but since Japan began its postwar path as a peaceful nation, many of our predecessors have worked steadily to foster mutual understanding and trust between our two countries," the Emperor said in his toast.

Princess Aiko, the only child of the Emperor and Empress, had a friendly conversation with Philippine government officials about topics including music, while Prince Hisahito spoke about his life as a student at the University of Tsukuba, the Imperial Household Agency said.

*Emperor Naruhito delivers remarks at a state banquet welcoming Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Marcos on May 27.*

Rites, Roots and Ribbon-Cuts

On May 28, marking the 500th anniversary of Emperor Go-Kashiwabara's death, a memorial rite was held at the Imperial Palace's Korei-den sanctuary. The Emperor and the Akishino couple offered prayers, while Princess Aiko and other Imperial Family members also attended. The Empress prayed from the Imperial Residence.

Meanwhile, Princess Aiko visited Yoyogi Park in Shibuya Ward on May 23 to attend the opening ceremony of the Laos Festival 2026. Princess Aiko smiled and applauded as Lao traditional dances were performed on stage.

*Princess Aiko takes part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Laos Festival 2026 in Yoyogi Park, Shibuya, Tokyo, on May 23.*

She later took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony with organizers and other participants to mark the festival's opening.

Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino visited the Tokyo University of Science - Katsushika Campus on May 24 to attend the 37th National "Greenery Protection" Gathering. They also toured the Horikiri Iris Garden in Katsushika and Tokyo Metropolitan Agricultural High School.

Botany Tour

On May 26, Crown Prince Akishino visited Tottori Prefecture to attend the opening ceremony of the 61st annual convention of the Japan Association of Botanical Gardens, of which he serves as president. He also toured Tottori Hanakairo, a flower park and tourist facility in Nanbu.

*Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino visit Horikiri Iris Garden in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo, on May 24.*

*Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino speak with a student at Tokyo Metropolitan Agricultural High School in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo, on May 24.*

Japan-Belgium Ties

Princess Kako, the second daughter of the Akishino couple, and Prince Hisahito visited the Kokugakuin University Museum in Shibuya on May 23 to view a special exhibition marking the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Belgium, titled "Traces of Exchange in Beauty and Knowledge."

Some of the exhibits were being shown outside Belgium for the first time. "You have brought so many precious items here," Princess Kako remarked during her tour.

*Princess Kako and Prince Hisahito view a special exhibition marking the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Belgium in Shibuya, Tokyo, on May 23.*

Remembering the War Dead

On May 25, Princess Kako visited Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery in Chiyoda Ward to attend a memorial ceremony organized by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry for unidentified Japanese war dead who died overseas and elsewhere during World War II.