Emperor Akihito to visit Canada
Friday, 11 July 2008
TOKYO, Jul 10(AFP): Japanese Emperor Akihito plans to visit Canada next year with his wife, more than five decades after his maiden trip there, an official said today.
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper agreed to arrange the summer trip in a bilateral meeting in Tokyo a day after the Group of Eight summit ended in northern Hokkaido, the official said.
Emperor Akihito visited Canada for the first time in 1953, when he was Crown Prince, to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, who also reigns over the North American country.
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper agreed to arrange the summer trip in a bilateral meeting in Tokyo a day after the Group of Eight summit ended in northern Hokkaido, the official said.
Emperor Akihito visited Canada for the first time in 1953, when he was Crown Prince, to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, who also reigns over the North American country.