An ‘Imperial Summer’ in Europe

The Japanese Government confirmed an exciting visit for the Emperor and Empress this summer. 

It was previously learnt that King Philippe of Belgium and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands had invited Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako to pay state visits in the summer of 2026.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Japanese Government confirmed the news of what would be the Imperial Couple’s fourth overseas visit on international goodwill.

In a press conference, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said,

Japan and these two countries have long fostered cooperative relations in a wide range of fields. Furthermore, exchanges between the Imperial Family of Japan and the Royal Families of these two countries have played an important role in fostering friendly relations between our two countries. Their Majesties have repeatedly extended invitations to visit the Netherlands and Belgium. In light of this, we will make the necessary arrangements to have Their Majesties visit the Netherlands and Belgium, preferably between mid- and late June of this year.

The aforementioned statement can also conclude that multiple invitations were previously sent to the Emperor, but only now has the Japanese Government decided to approve such extensive travel.

(Screenshot/Fair Use)

According to the Imperial Household Agency, the Emperor and Empress are expected to visit Amsterdam and Brussels as state guests and will be received by the respective Kings of both countries.

RVD—the Dutch Government Information Service that is responsible for the royal family—noted that, as relations go back over 426 years, the state visit to the Netherlands will reaffirm the close ties between the two countries. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima have previously paid a state visit to Japan in October 2014 when Emperor Akihito was still on the throne. The King most recently travelled to Japan in May 2025 to visit the Osaka-Kansai World Expo.

The royal and imperial families of the Netherlands and Japan have maintained a special relationship over the years. It is worth noting that during Empress Masako’s recuperation in the Netherlands, in the early 2000s, for an “adjustment disorder”— the term used by the IHA—then-Queen Beatrix invited the Crown Prince Couple for a stay at Paleis Het Loo in Apeldoorn.

Harvard-educated Masako has had continued stress-related issues adjusting to life in the Imperial Court. “Taking care of my health, I have tried to fulfil my public and private duties as much as possible this year. With the help of people around me, I would like to continue making efforts to recover,” then-Crown Princess Masako said in 2015.

Naruhito said in a 2004 press conference, as Crown Prince,

From the time of our marriage [1993], Princess Masako entered a completely different environment, which she had never before encountered. In that new lifestyle, although it may not be understood from outside, I think that becoming accustomed to life at the Akasaka Palace entailed some hardship. She made every effort to apply herself to this new environment, and also engaged in her official duties.

Regarding this summer’s state visits, it has also been learnt that discussions have been underway on Princess Aiko accompanying her parents, the Emperor and Empress, to Europe. While the announcement on Thursday did not specify whether Princess Aiko would travel in June, the Royal News Organisation will bring you any developments.

In 2026, the Kingdom of Belgium and Japan will celebrate the 160th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako also attended the wedding of Philippe and Mathilde in December 1999. There has yet to be a statement from the Belgian Royal Palace regarding the state visit this summer.

The Imperial Household Agency will release a full programme of events in due course. The Royal News Organisation will keep you up to date with all the exciting developments for an Imperial Summer in Europe.