Emperor Naruhito Returns to the Thames of His Graduate Studies

On his official trip to the United Kingdom, Japanese Emperor Naruhito visited a flood prevention facility on the River Thames. The massive facility is located in the suburbs of London.

Indeed, the Thames Barrier is one of the largest movable flood barriers in the world. In total, it spans more than 500 meters of water. It has 10 steel gates, each weighing more than 3,000 tons.

The Emperor, who takes a keen interest in water issues, entered the control room wearing a helmet and asked questions about how the system works. He was told that under storm surge conditions, the barrier rises to protect London from flooding by the sea. 

The Emperor's visit was welcomed by Steven O'Connor, Director of the River and Rowing Museum. He told ANN news, "The world is now paying a lot more attention to the health of our rivers and water quality, as well as to the scarcity of water. We are asking what we as a civilization need to do to protect our waterways. For His Majesty to be able to give these issues strong prominence and to bring his gravitas to that conversation means it will be taken more seriously."

The Emperor has an impressive understanding of the links between water and development. This was also apparent during a keynote speech he delivered to the Water Conference of the United Nations in the spring of 2023.

He pointed out that floods, droughts, and other water-related disasters caused by climate change present a "common challenge" to all humankind. He stated his hope that the world could learn from past examples of disaster preparedness and enjoy the many benefits of water. 

Student Memories

Emperor Naruhito carried out postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford while he was Crown Prince. At that time, he wrote an academic paper about transportation on the River Thames. He also went on to describe his experience as a student in a book entitled The Thames and I: A Memoir of Two Years at Oxford.

As well as offering his thoughts on the Thames, the book also includes a few personal stories. In one, he relates the time that he was banned from entering a disco because he was wearing jeans.

The Japan Society of the UK describes the book as a remarkably candid record. It also adds that the book reveals its author as an individual, reflecting his personal charm and sense of humor. 

Royal Encounter 

The Emperor is accompanied on his trip to the United Kingdom by his wife, Empress Masako, 60. She also studied at Oxford during her university days. The imperial couple arrived late on Sunday afternoon at Stansted Airport, north of London. They will remain in the UK for seven days.

The trip to the Thames Barrier was one of a handful of private events involving the Emperor alone. During that time, Empress Masako rested at a hotel.

This trip is the first Japanese state visit to the United Kingdom since 1998. 

The official agenda begins on June 25, when the Emperor and Empress meet King Charles III and senior members of the British royal family. In the evening, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is currently running for office in a general election, will attend a banquet with the Emperor and Empress at Buckingham Palace. The Labor Party leader Keir Starmer is also expected to be there.

Cultural Experience

Another part of the Emperor's itinerary was a trip to Japan House. This is a cultural venue on Kensington High Street in West London.

Currently, Japan House is hosting an exhibition that underscores the country's reputation as a haven for designers and other creative people. Those innovators also include filmmakers and architects.

Meanwhile, in the exhibition, his Majesty viewed a collection of woodcraft items by artisans using cedar and beech from Akita Prefecture. The Emperor took a particular interest in products from Ishikawa Prefecture, the area affected by the January 1 earthquake.

Japan House Director Sam Thorne guided Emperor Naruhito through the venue, commenting, "We are deeply honored to have hosted His Majesty during his state visit to the UK. It is a privilege to celebrate and explore the rich cultural heritage and contemporary dynamism of Japan."

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Author: Duncan Bartlett, Diplomatic Correspondent
Mr Bartlett is the Diplomatic Correspondent for JAPAN Forward and a Research Associate at the SOAS China Institute. Read his other articles and essays.