Japanese Princess Mako pays courtesy call on Peruvian president

July 12, 2019

Lima--Japanese Princess Mako, the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, paid a courtesy call on Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra on Thursday.

The visit followed her attendance the previous day at a ceremony held in the Peruvian capital of Lima to mark the 120th anniversary of the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in the South American country.

Meeting Vizcarra at the presidential palace, Princess Mako said: "I feel Japanese Peruvians are treated very well in Peru. I'm grateful that Peru accepted Japanese immigrants."

Vizcarra said he is glad that Japanese Peruvians are actively involved in various fields.

The president also showed his gratitude to Japan's contribution to Peru in the areas of technological and economic cooperation and archaeology.

At a subsequent luncheon hosted by the president, Princess Mako said, "I hope the bilateral friendship that has been fostered by many people for a long time will be maintained for many years to come."

The president proposed to the princess that they play tennis together when she visits Peru next time. Vizcarra is a former Peruvian champion of Paleta Fronton, a sport similar to squash. The princess is honorary chair of the Japan Tennis Association.

She later met at a hotel in Lima with representatives of Japanese people living in Peru and Japanese volunteers dispatched by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, thanking them for their efforts in Peru. Jiji Press