Japanese Royals to Visit Canada

The Canadian Prime Minister's Office has announced that Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan will visit Canada from July 4 to 13, 2009. The Japanese Royals will travel to Ottawa, Toronto, Victoria and Vancouver. It will be Emperor Akihito’s first official visit to Canada, although he did visit as a 19-year-old crown prince in 1953, touring several Canadian cities on his way to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The Emperor's visit this year marks three events: it is the 80th anniversary of Canada's establishment of its diplomatic mission in Tokyo in 1929. It is also the royal couple's 50th wedding anniversary and the 20th anniversary of Akihito’s accession to the throne.

Photo: Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko
Junko Kimura / Getty Images

More about Canada and Japan
Canadian Embassy in Japan
What Does the Japanese Emperor Actually Do? - About.com Asian History
Canada-Japan Relations - Canada Department of Foreign Affairs