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Japan Emperor Naruhito, King Charles fished, danced together during 40 years of ties

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London (Mainichi)- Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, visiting the U.K. on a state visit, are set to attend a welcome ceremony here ushering in a renewed exchange with the British royal family.

Emperor Naruhito has 40 years of ties with King Charles III. Their long friendship stands out among the close relations between the Japanese Imperial Family and the British royal house.

It was during Emperor Naruhito’s time as a student at the University of Oxford between 1983 and 1985 that the Emperor met King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, for the first time. They deepened their friendship through occasions including watching an opera together with Princess Diana.

In the summer of 1984, Queen Elizabeth invited the now Emperor to Balmoral Castle in Scotland, the British monarch’s summer palace, and Prince Charles accompanied him. Charles taught Emperor Naruhito how to fish with a fly by lending his pole to him, and they enjoyed fly-fishing for salmon in waist-deep waters. During a press conference on June 19 this year, the Emperor remembered the occasion fondly, saying, “We saw a big fish jumping nearby, but we ended up with no catch,” drawing laughter from reporters.

In September 1991, the then Crown Prince visited the U.K. to attend the Japan Festival, an event to introduce Japanese culture, and there, he and the then Prince of Wales attended a number of events together. They enjoyed green tea served during an outdoor traditional Japanese tea ceremony and attended the opening ceremony for a robot exhibition. During an event to introduce Japanese culture in the U.K. in May 2001, the two princes joined a circle of Awa Odori dance performers, enlivening the cultural exchange with their impromptu steps.

King Charles III has visited Japan five times. During his visit in May 1986, he delivered a speech in the plenary session chamber of the House of Representatives in Tokyo. He stated that people in Britain were honored that the Emperor had chosen to continue his studies in the U.K. He added, however, that he might have advised him to choose the University of Cambridge, his alma mater, had he been asked for advice, evoking a wave of laughter from legislators. Charles also visited Kyoto with the Emperor’s guidance.

The Emperor and King Charles have also met on a number of other occasions, including the wedding and coronation ceremonies of royal families elsewhere in Europe. When the English version of the Emperor’s memoir titled “The Thames and I: A Memoir of Two Years at Oxford” was published in 2006, Charles contributed an endorsement, stating that the book shows the Emperor’s “keen eye” and “delicate sense of humour.” He also noted, “There is a close friendship between the United Kingdom and Japan, which is reflected in the solid bond between the Imperial and Royal Families.”

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