A very exciting development for the Emperor and Empress of Japan this summer.
It has been learned that invitations have been sent from the Kingdoms of Belgium and the Netherlands for Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako to pay state visits to the respective countries in June 2026.
Japanese media was lit up on Wednesday when news of the impending visits was disseminated online. The Emperor and Empress, with Princess Aiko, were seen attending the grand sumo wrestling tournament last week.
This summer, it is expected that Naruhito and Masako will be treated to state banquets and official welcoming ceremonies, as well as scheduled engagements related to the state visits. 2026 celebrates the 160th anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Kingdom of Belgium and Japan. Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako also attended the wedding of Philippe and Mathilde in December 1999.
King Willem-Alexander was most recently in Japan during the Osaka-Kansai World Expo in May 2025. The Emperor hosted the King for a dinner at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. The royal and imperial families of the Netherlands and Japan have had a special relationship over the years. It is worth noting that during Empress Masako’s, then Crown Princess, recuperation in the early 2000s, then-Queen Beatrix invited the Crown Prince Couple for a stay at the Paleis Het Loo in Apeldoorn.
There has yet to be any confirmation from RVD— the Dutch Government Information Service that is responsible for the Dutch royal family—or the Imperial Household Agency (IHA).
The Royal News Organisation will keep you up to date with all the announcements in relation to the state visits this summer.
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