I suspect that they will be doing some preparations for the South Korean state visit during the weekend too. But maybe they will meet or even stay with the crown prince, who knows? Nothing has been made public and I doubt that it will.
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According to royalty-online crown princess Masako will be present at the state dinner. This will be the first time since 12 years and apparently the Japanese media are widely reporting it. The princess will also attend the welcoming ceremony at the palace. As the king and queen arrive today and the state visit starts tomorrow the welcoming ceremony will not be at the airport.
As Japan only allows two state visits per year, this visit so quickly after the accession of the new king is remarkable. According to the Dutch ambassador in Japan, the Japanese feel honored that the first state visit of the king outside of Europe is Japan.
http://www.royalty-online.nl/monarchie/nl/4411/nederland-profiteert-lang-van-staatsbezoek
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I wonder if Foreign Affairs will let the king make any reference to the second world war. Previous Japanese state visits have always been controversial due to the Japanese refusal to take responsibility for war crimes committed in the former Dutch East Indies. Sadly, most people who lived during that period have died. The government usually found commercial interests more important than justice for those who suffered in the East.
Esp. the visit of Emperor Hirohito in 1971 was painful as many were still alive. Emperor Hirohito had visited the Netherlands in 1921 and was met with cheering crowds everywhere he went, he had fond memories of the visit and wanted to return to see the Amsterdam zoo, the various reclaimed land projects etc. However, the visit was a disaster. He was received shortly at Soestdijk for lunch, but there was no state banquet. There were protesters everywhere he went, often screaming 'Hirohitler' and at the Amsterdam zoo the security could barely prevent the emperor from being punched in the face by an angry man. An angry mob was almost able to reach the emperor while he was looking at the rhinos.
- On a sidenote; Prince Bernhard -two faced as usual- stayed away from the luncheon at Soestdijk palace. It was quite remarkable as he was the one who lobbied for the visit on behalf of Dutch businesses. As he saw the protests grow, he decided to holiday in Italy instead as he wanted to preserve his reputation with the Duch restistance fighters. Instead, his wife -who wasn't very much in favor of the visit- was stuck with the emperor and empress.
In 1986 the liberal party blocked a planned state visit of Q. Beatrix to Japan (which was later done in 1991, after the death of emperor Hirohito). In 2000, before the state visit of Emperor Akihito, prime minister Obuchi of Japan finally offered is apologies, in return he wanted guaranties that the emperor would not be met by wild protesters. However in 2005 prime minister Koizumi announced that further financial compensation for victims would not be given.
