Japan Emperor, Empress Cancel Trip to Retreat following Rain Disaster

July 13, 2018

Tokyo- The Imperial Household Agency said Friday that Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko have canceled their trip to the Imperial villa in the town of Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture, eastern Japan.

The cancellation of the trip, which had been scheduled from next Tuesday, was decided following recent torrential rain that has severely affected wide areas in western Japan, according to the agency.

The Emperor and the Empress are concerned about the situation, as search and rescue operations are continuing and over 6,000 people have been forced to take shelter at evacuation centers, agency officials said. The disaster has left about 200 people dead. Jiji Press