Japan’s Imperial Family Meets Kenyan Presidential Couple
12:24 JST, February 10, 2024
TOKYO (Jiji Press) — The Emperor and Empress met with Kenyan President William Ruto and his wife at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Friday.
The Emperor and Empress hosted a luncheon for the presidential couple, which was also attended by Crown Prince Akishino, and Princess Aiko, the only child of the Emperor and Empress.
This is the first time Princess Aiko has attended a luncheon event for foreign guests at the palace.
According to the Imperial Household Agency, the Emperor expressed his gratitude for the Kenyan president’s message of sympathy following the massive earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture on Jan. 1.
Meanwhile, the Emperor expressed his sympathy to the people of Kenya for the droughts and floods in the African country.
Princess Aiko made a speech in Swahili, the official language of Kenya, and received a compliment from the president. During the luncheon, she talked in English with the president and a female Kenyan minister seated next to her.
The president invited Princess Aiko to visit his country, and she responded with gratitude, agency officials said.
Crown Princess Kiko, who has a gastrointestinal problem, refrained from attending the event at the advice of a court physician.
"Society" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
U.S. 7th Fleet officer Arrested on Suspicion of Stealing Sushi, Sashimi, Chicken at Kanagawa Shopping Mall; Suspect Caught Mid-Meal
-
JAL Airplane Experiences Radio Malfunction During Flight, Lands Safely By Relying on Light Signals
-
Cherry tree falls on man on Sanneizaka steps leading to famous Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto
-
Earthquake in Western Japan a Reminder to Be Ready for the Big One; 14% of People Have Made No Preparations, Survey Says
-
Small Animal That Appears to be Mouse Found in Chojuku Bread Products; Some Brands on Same Production Line to be Recalled Voluntarily
JN ACCESS RANKING
- Weakening Yen Adds Complexity to BOJ’s Rate Hike Decisions; Rising Commodity Prices may Impact ‘Virtuous Cycle’ Efforts
- 70% of Japan Companies to Raise Pay Scales in FY 2024
- Japanese Seafood Exports to China Sink 57% in FY23; U.S. Becomes Largest Seafood Export Destination
- 48.6% of Global Patent Applications Related to All-Solid-State Batteries Came from Japanese Firms; Panasonic Tops List
- Core Consumer Prices Rise 2.8% in Fiscal 2023