Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan bow respectfully during a wreath-laying ceremony
The Japanese emperor and his wife stepped out for a wreath-laying ceremony on Tuesday during their whirlwind trip to Indonesia.
Emperor Naruhito, 63, and Empress Masako, 59, bowed at the ceremony, which took place at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The Imperial Couple are currently on a week-long visit to the country on their first official trip abroad since ascending the Chrysanthemum Throne in 2019.
The national cemetery contains the graves of prominent Indonesians and more than 7,000 Indonesian and Japanese soldiers and veterans of the Indonesian National Revolution, which took place between 1945 and 1949.
The pair are on day four of a seven-day visit to strengthen the bond between the two countries and have had several assignments in Indonesia since their arrival on June 17.
Emperor Naruhito, 63, and Empress Masako, 59, stepped out for a wreath-laying ceremony at Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in Jakarta, Indonesia
The couple appeared relaxed as they beamed as they arrived for the ceremony.
Empress Masako looked chic in a lilac long skirt and matching blazer jacket that she paired with a stylish hat.
The Emperor and Empress are currently guests of Indonesian President Joko Widodo and First Lady Iriana at the Presidential Palace in Bogor, West Java.
Yesterday they planted a tree in the botanical garden of the presidential palace.
The Imperial couple and their hosts also visited the Mass Rapid Transit yard in Jakarta, where Naruhito and Masako learned more about Indonesia’s transportation system.
The emperor and his wife looked cheerful as they began the third day of their visit yesterday.
They were welcomed at the presidential palace in Bogor by a guard of honor.
The Imperial Couple are currently on a week-long visit to the country on their first official trip abroad since ascending the Chrysanthemum Throne in 2019.
The pair appeared relaxed as they beamed as they arrived for the ceremony on Tuesday (pictured)
Empress Masako looked chic in a lilac long skirt and matching blazer jacket that she paired with a stylish hat
The Japanese emperor and his wife bowed during the ceremony that took place at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery
There, their first stop was the palace’s lush botanical garden, where the Japanese Imperial couple admired the various types of plants.
The Japanese Empress looked very stylish for her day out, wearing a light blue midi skirt with a matching blazer and hat trimmed in white, plus white accessories and a pearl necklace.
The elegant number matched her husband’s blue tie with an eye for detail.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s first lady looked elegant in a delicate pink embroidered scarf over an iridescent skirt and cardigan.
Despite their finery, both ladies joined hands to plant a new tree in the garden while their two husbands happily watched.
“I am very honored that Indonesia is the first destination for the Japanese Emperor’s bilateral state visit abroad,” said Widodo.
The national cemetery contains the graves of prominent Indonesians and more than 7,000 Indonesian and Japanese soldiers and veterans of the Indonesian National Revolution
Naruhito tries to underline the friendship between Japan and Indonesia during his week-long visit, and officials said the two leaders would talk about cooperation between the countries.
The emperor arrived in the capital on Saturday and visited several places in the city, including a station of the Jakarta MRT, Indonesia’s first metro line and financed by a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Tomorrow he has planned a trip to Yogyakarta, a city on the island of Java, the center of Javanese culture and the seat of ancient royal dynasties.
On Thursday he will visit Borobudur Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the world.
Before leaving Japan, Naruhito said cooperation with developing countries is essential to address global challenges such as climate change, energy and food.
His journey comes as Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations celebrate 50 years of friendship this year, when Indonesia presides over ASEAN.
Japan is increasingly seeking to engage with developing countries in addressing regional and global challenges. According to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan is the largest supplier of official development assistance to Indonesia.
Naruhito, 63, is Japan’s first emperor, born after World War II, who was fought on behalf of his grandfather, Emperor Hirohito.
Japanese troops occupied Indonesia, when the Dutch East Indies colony, from 1942 to Tokyo surrendered in August 1945.
The trip to Indonesia is believed to be the emperor’s first official foreign tour since his accession to the throne in 2019.
Last September, he was one of several foreign heads of state to attend the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth in London.
However, due to protocol, the Emperor does not attend coronations of other heads of state, and sent Crown Prince Akishino to attend King Charles’s accession to the throne in May on his behalf.