King Charles delivers a speech at the state banquet at Buckingham Palace on June 25. (©Reuters)
On June 25, King Charles III hosted a state banquet at Buckingham Palace for Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako. In his opening speech, he warmly greeted Their Majesties in Japanese, saying, "Eikoku ni okaeri nasai [welcome back to Britain]." Both Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako had studied separately in the United Kingdom before their marriage.
Reflections on Japanese Culture
In his speech, King Charles reflected on the 400-year bond between Japan and the UK. He also mentioned his first trip to Japan in 1970, when he was Prince of Wales, and his visit to the Osaka Expo. He remarked, "As a 21-year-old, the innovations I saw left me with a lasting impression of the power of blending the traditions of Eastern and Western civilizations."
The King also touched on Japanese anime culture, noting that Studio Ghibli's films such as The Boy and the Heron (2023) continue to captivate audiences worldwide. He also mentioned the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty, a globally popular Japanese character "born" in the London suburbs. The King remarked, "I can only wish a very happy birthday to … Hello Kitty!" eliciting laughter from the guests.
'Shared Values'
The King further emphasized the "deep roots" of the UK-Japan partnership, noting that Tokugawa Ieyasu wrote a letter to King James I of England in 1613.
Amid the upheaval in global affairs, he highlighted, "Today, as we face a world in which these principles are ever more challenged, our shared values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law are more important than ever."
According to the BBC, the banquet menu included langoustines, basil mousse, Cornish turbot, sorbet, and peaches.
In January 2024, the King was diagnosed with cancer. This banquet marked his first reception of a state guest since resuming his official duties in April.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
