Emperor, Empress Host Banquet at Palace, for Last Time(2018/05/30-23:43)

May 31, 2018

Tokyo- The Japanese Emperor and Empress held a banquet at the Imperial Palace Wednesday to welcome the Vietnamese president and the first lady of the Southeast Asian country as state guests.

This could be the final banquet at the palace hosted by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko before the current Emperor's abdication slated for the end of April next year, people familiar with Imperial Family affairs said.

The party for Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang and his wife, Nguyen Thi Hien, was also attended by other Imperial Family members, including Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife, Akie.

Among other guests was Japanese actor Ryotaro Sugi, who partially accompanied last year's official visit to Vietnam by the Emperor and Empress as Japan-Vietnam special ambassador.

During a speech, the Emperor expressed hopes for enhanced mutual understanding and friendly ties between the two countries after telling about people the Imperial couple met during the trip, including family members of former Japanese soldiers who chose to stay in Vietnam after World War II.

Quang praised Japan's gorgeous cherry blossoms, Shinkansen bullet trains, aspirations and hospitality. The two countries' strategic partnership is getting stronger day by day, he stressed. Jiji Press