Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko Visit to Canada: July 3-14, 2009

[Marsel]

Emperor Akihito 'looking forward' to Canada visit

The 75-year-old monarch and his wife Empress Michiko are due to depart Japan tomorrow (03.07.09), for a 15-day tour of Canada and the US Pacific Island state of Hawaii.
It will be the first time Akihito has visited Canada since he travelled to the North American country in 1953 as a 19-year-old prince on his first ever official trip.

[Marquesa d Yolombó]

Thanks a lot for posting and keeping us updated !

Good luck to the Imperial Couple in their trip !

[Al_bina]

It is nice to see both Crown Princely couple and Princely couple bidding farewell to their Imperial Majesties. The visit is going to be quite long. I hope their Imperial Majesties will enjoy it.

[Marquesa d Yolombó]

Originally Posted by Al_bina

The visit is going to be quite long. I hope their Imperial Majesties will enjoy it.

Indeed, I hope so too !!

A long visit for Their Majesties to enjoy such a beautiful country

[namiey]

Japan Emperor,Empress leave for Canada,Hawaii
Japan emperor, empress leave for Canada, Hawaii - Yahoo! News
written by AFP
With a bow and a hand-shake, Canada welcomes Japanese emperor
With a bow and a hand-shake, Canada welcomes Japanese emperor - Yahoo! Canada News

photo by getty images
Getty Images - Unsupported browser detected#

[Marquesa d Yolombó]

Coverage made by the Canadian media of this royal visit:

Renewing a Canadian connection

Japanese emperor begins Canadian tour

And one more, by Google:

AFP: Japan emperor, empress leave for Canada, Hawaii

[namiey]

OH・・・sorry
I couldn't link to getty?

[Principessa Cano]

Does anyone have a link to a calendar of events for this trip, in particular when they will be visiting Victoria? If I don't have to work I might try to go see them.

[namiey]

Originally Posted by Principessa Cano

Does anyone have a link to a calendar of events for this trip, in particular when they will be visiting Victoria? If I don't have to work I might try to go see them.

Sorry Ican't find link to a calendar of events for this trip in english article,
but Japanese mainichi news say:
http://mainichi.jp/select/wadai/kou*...40016000c.html
Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress:arrival on Canada
participate in welcome events from 6th
Their Majesties arrived Mcdonald Cartier Air port Otawa,the capital city of Canada on the afternoon of 3th(before daylight in japan).
It had been 56 years since His majesty the Emperor had visited canada in 1953,when he was crown prince.

Their Majesties appeard from Japanese Air Force One and welcomed by Minister for Foreign Affairs Canon and canada royal mounted police in a light rain.
Japanese and canadian national flag were hoisted,but flew flags at
half staff for the death of ex-Governor General of Canada.
Their Majesties will visit farm near Otawa combining adjustments to jet lag for 5th.
Their Majesties will attend offical welcome events from 6th


Their Majesties main schedule(Date is Canada time)
4th Visiting an Central examination farm(Otawa)
5th Having a talk with Japanese-Canadian
6th Official welcome event, meeting with Governor General of Canada ,
the prime minister and their wife
7th Lay flowers a Peace-Keeping monument
8th Japan-Canada 80th amity special event
9th Having a talk with Japanese-Canadian(Tronto)
10th Inspect institution of Olympic Winter games speed skate(vancouver)
11th Having a talk with Japanese-Canadian(Vivtoria)
12th Visiting Ocean science labo
13th Visiting the University of British Columbia(vancouver)
14th To Oafu island ,Hawaii
15th Lay flowers 　national Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
16th return to Japan

[mandyy]

Here is a link from the Japan embassy in Canada of their detailed itinerary.

ITINERARY OF THEIR MAJESTIES THE EMPEROR AND EMPRESS OF JAPAN’S VISIT TO CANADA

[Principessa Cano]

Originally Posted by mandyy

Here is a link from the Japan embassy in Canada of their detailed itinerary.

ITINERARY OF THEIR MAJESTIES THE EMPEROR AND EMPRESS OF JAPAN’S VISIT TO CANADA

Thank-you for the information. Unfortunately I will be at a friend's wedding the weekend they are in Victoria. Too bad. It would be quite something to be able to say "I have seen an Emperor and an Empress in person".

[laduchesse]

Here are some news articles covering their visit:

The Globe and Mail:
Emperor and Empress kick off 12-day tour - The Globe and Mail

CBC:
Japanese emperor arrives in Ottawa for extended Canadian visit
Japan's royal couple tour Ottawa area

[laduchesse]

Additional articles from The Vancouver Sun
Emperor remains head of Shintoism in Japan
Japanese-Canadians prepare to give emperor and empress a royal welcome

Interesting article from The Globe and Mail last week:
Canadian visit a break from cloistered existence - The Globe and Mail

[Marquesa d Yolombó]

Another article on their Majesties' arrival to Canada:

Japanese emperor Akihito arrives in Canada - UPI.com

[Al_bina]

The article is interesting, indeed. I do not think that the Canadian tour is a much desired break from the cloistered life within Japan. From the historical standpoint, I would say that most of Asian monarchies existed and exist in a "splendid isolation" (e.g., the Forbidden City in China).

[Jacknch]

Originally Posted by Al_bina

The article is interesting, indeed. I do not think that the Canadian tour is a much desired break from the cloistered life within Japan. From the historical standpoint, I would say that most of Asian monarchies existed and exist in a "splendid isolation" (e.g., the Forbidden City in China).

The article could have just as easily been written about Queen Elizabeth II - the gates of Buckingham palace may not be eight metres high, although the walls of Windsor Castle probably come quite close! Whilst I wouldn't necessarily say QEII lives a cloistered life, she certainly doesn't do press conferences (unlike the Emperor and Emperess) and her life is governed by very strict protocol. I also cannot recall a time she has entered the shopping areas of London.

[Marquesa d Yolombó]

Indeed, Asian monarchies have tended to live in isolation; but it is higher tha isolation they are forced to live in due to protocol rather than the height of their walls.

Maybe, what the author is traying to say is that in these trips they can at least have a breath of fresh air, despite the existing protocol, and get to know places they maybe don't even know in their own country.

[Marquesa d Yolombó]

More articles on the Imperial Couple's visit, this one of The Japan Times:

Emperor tells Canada of his regret for war | The Japan Times Online

[Mermaid1962]

It's interesting the spin that The Japan Times put on the Emperor's speech. This is what the Emperor said: ""Sadly, the relationship between the two countries was ruined by World War IIand my heart goes out to the people who suffered hardships created by the battles," the Emperor said while expressing his gratitude to people who have dedicated themselves to mending those ties."

However, The Japan Times makes it sound that the Emperor was referring to only Japanese-Canadians who "suffered hardships."

Fascinating.

Originally Posted by Marquesa d Yolombó

More articles on the Imperial Couple's visit, this one of The Japan Times:

Emperor tells Canada of his regret for war | The Japan Times Online

[queenofthelight]

The official visit of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko to Canada (7/07/2009).

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