Japan Crown Prince Leaves for France

September 7, 2018

Tokyo- Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito left for France on a government jet on Friday, kicking off his first official visit to the European country.

The tour comes as the French government invited him to visit the nation to mark the 160th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties.

This is the Crown Prince's fourth visit to France and the first since September 1991. The visit could possibly be his last to a foreign country as crown prince for the purpose of promoting friendship before his enthronement scheduled for May 2019.

Crown Princess Masako, who is receiving treatment for stress-related illness, opted not to accompany her husband due to possible negative impacts on her health from the long-haul trip.

After arriving in Lyon, southeastern France, on Friday evening local time, Crown Prince Naruhito is slated to visit a fabric museum, as well as a winery in the Bourgogne region.

He will move to Paris on Monday and pay a courtesy call on French President Emmanuel Macron.

In the French capital, the Crown Prince is also scheduled to attend events related to the Japonismes 2018 festival for promoting Japanese culture, including an exhibition of Ito Jakuchu, an 18th-century Japanese painter, and a kabuki performance by actors including Nakamura Shido.

He will return home on Sept. 15.

In a press conference at his residence in Tokyo on Wednesday, Crown Prince Naruhito said he hopes that the trip will "contribute to the deepening of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and France in the future," noting that France greatly helped Japan's modernization in and after the 19th century through trade and technological exchanges.

Overseas visits for the purpose of promoting friendship are "one of the important roles that Imperial Family members should play," he said.

During their past overseas visits, his parents, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, attended various events in host nations while keeping in mind their histories, the Crown Prince said.

"I will try to help Japan develop friendly relations with other countries by respecting the thoughts of the Emperor and the Empress," Crown Prince Naruhito said.

Asked how future emperors should be, Crown Prince Naruhito said, "While wishing for happiness of people in Japan and around the world, I will always consider seriously things I can do." Jiji Press