(Update) Emperor Naruhito Voices Hopes for Enduring Japan-Britain Ties
London, June 25 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Emperor Naruhito expressed hopes for "an enduring relationship based on friendship" between Japan and Britain in a speech Tuesday at a state banquet hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
"It is my sincere hope that both Japan and the UK (United Kingdom)...will continue to make untiring efforts for true mutual understanding through exchanges of their people, thereby building an enduring relationship based on friendship, goodwill and cooperation," the Emperor said in English during the banquet at Buckingham Palace in London, also attended by Empress Masako.
The event was attended by about 170 people, including Prince William, Prince Edward and other royal family members as well as nonroyals. The Emperor wore the Most Noble Order of the Garter, awarded to him that day, while the Empress wore a tiara and an evening dress.
Ahead of the Emperor's speech, King Charles III delivered an address in which he welcomed the Imperial couple back to Britain in Japanese.
"At the core of our partnership is a close friendship, one based on a mutual understanding of the importance of international rules and global institutions, forged from the lessons of history, including its darkest years," the king said.
The Emperor expressed his "utmost pleasure" at being able to visit Britain roughly five years after the late Queen Elizabeth II extended an invitation.
"There was previously the sad period during which the friendly relationship between our two countries suffered," he stated, referring to when Japan and Britain opposed each other in World War II. "Hence I am struck by profound feelings as I extend my thoughts to what was in the minds of my grandfather the Emperor Showa and subsequently my father the Emperor Emeritus as they set foot in this country after times of great difficulty, as emperors of Japan at the invitation of (Queen Elizabeth II)."
"We can say that we are fortunate to have been given the opportunity to climb even higher on this grand, broad-based mountain, guided by the path trodden by our forebears," Emperor Naruhito said of the current Japanese-British relations. "It would be a source of immense satisfaction if our visit to the United Kingdom could help to firmly pass on the friendship and goodwill between our two countries to the young people and children who in the future will take on the reins of our relationship and develop it even further."
He closed his speech with a toast to the good health of the British royal couple, the further development of the bilateral relationship and its contribution to the world, and to the lasting happiness of the people of both countries.
In his speech, the king mentioned the popular Japanese character Hello Kitty and animation series Pokemon.
Prior to the banquet, the Imperial couple visited Westminster Abbey and offered flowers at the grave of the Unknown Warrior, a memorial for British soldiers who died in battles since World War I.
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