Japan Emperor, Empress Leave for Mongolia

   Tokyo, July 6 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako left Tokyo's Haneda Airport on a government plane Sunday for a weeklong official visit to Mongolia as state guests.
   They will be the first reigning Emperor and Empress to visit Mongolia. The Emperor visited the country in 2007 when he was Crown Prince.
   Ahead of their departure, the Emperor and Empress greeted Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko and others who were at the airport to see the Imperial couple off.
   On Tuesday, the Emperor and Empress will attend a series of official events--a welcome ceremony, a meeting with Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh and his wife, and a banquet hosted by the Mongolian first couple. On the same day, they will offer flowers at the cenotaph for some 1,700 Japanese who were detained by the former Soviet Union after World War II and died in Mongolia.
   On Friday, the Imperial couple will attend the opening ceremony of Naadam, Mongolia's biggest festival, as an official event.

(2025/07/06-13:19)