Japan Crown Prince to Visit France Next Month

August 7, 2018

Tokyo- Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito is set to make an official visit to France on Sept. 7-15.

The schedule of the trip, his fourth to the European country, was reported to Tuesday's cabinet meeting. This will be his first official visit to France. Crown Prince Naruhito last toured the nation in September 1991.

The French government offered an invitation for the visit, with this year marking the 160th anniversary of the conclusion of the Japan-France amity and commerce treaty.

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

According to the Imperial Household Agency, Crown Prince Naruhito will arrive in Lyon, southeastern France, on a government jet on Sept. 7, and make a day trip to a winery in the nearby Bourgogne region and a research facility in Grenoble, also southeastern France.

Then, the Crown Prince will move to Paris and inspect events related to the Japonismes 2018 festival for promoting Japanese culture. His itinerary also includes a trip to Versailles, near the French capital.

In Paris, he will visit an exhibition of Ito Jakuchu, a Japanese painter in the 18th century, and watch a kabuki performance by actors including Nakamura Shido II. Crown Prince Naruhito is also slated to attend an event in which the Eiffel Tower will be lit up with the theme of Japanese culture.

During his stay in France, the Crown Prince will also visit a Japanese school and a facility for people wit disabilities, and interact with Japanese people living in the country. Jiji Press