Norway’s Crown Prince meets with Japan’s Imperial Couple

Crown Prince Haakon concluded his trip to Japan yesterday, meeting with the Imperial Couple in Tokyo.

Crown Prince Haakon has concluded his official visit to Japan. The Crown Prince was originally scheduled to stay for four days, but due to Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s declining health, he shortened his trip by a day. He is now on his way back home to Norway. The purpose of the official visit was to “celebrate the two countries’ relationship, particularly in security policy, technology, trade, and the marine industry.”

On Wednesday afternoon in Tokyo, Haakon attended the opening ceremony of the Island States Ocean Summit, presided over by Emperor Naruhito, held at the Hotel New Otani. The summit was attended by various heads of state and world leaders, which was hosted by the Nippon Foundation in partnership with Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO). Both the Emperor and Crown Prince spoke at the event with invited guests from over thirty different countries on issues facing island states, such as climate change.

Later in the day, the Crown Prince travelled to the Akasaka Estate, where Haakon was received by Crown Prince Akishino (Fumihito) and Crown Princess Akishino (Kiko) at the Japanese Crown Prince’s Residence. The three held an audience which covered a wide range of topics and issues.

During the evening, around 7 pm, Crown Prince Haakon then visited with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako. At the Imperial Residence on the grounds of the Imperial Palace, the three sat down to a private dinner, where discussions flowed smoothly. The Imperial Household Agency notes that Princess Aiko joined in conversations after the dinner, and the Imperial Family saw the Crown Prince off around 9:30 pm.

Crown Prince Haakon will be making his way back to Norway, where, as previously reported, Crown Princess Mette-Marit is in delicate health. Both the Crown Prince and King Harald have spoken out about the seriousness of the Crown Princess’s health, which is said to have ‘deteriorated rapidly’. Mette-Marit’s condition has become so grave that her daughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, has flown home from her studies in Australia to be by her mother’s side during this precarious, developing situation.

The Royal News Organisation will provide updates from the Royal House as they arise.