Prime Minister Abe hosts the royals in Japan as enthronement events come to an end

Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has hosted the royals in Japan for another banquet and drinks as the events surrounding Emperor Naruhito’s enthronement comes to an end.

Unlike the banquet hosted by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, this banquet was not a tiara affair. The Prime Minister and his wife, Akie hosted the event in Tokyo’s Hotel New Otani.

The Prince of Wales, Dutch King and Queen, King and Crown Princess of Sweden, King and Queen of Bhutan and Crown Prince Couple of Denmark were among the royal guests. Non-royal guests included Czech Republic Prime Minister Andrej Babis and his wife Monika Babisova and Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev.

Guests were treated to some traditional Japanese entertainment before dinner with Japanese performers donning traditional garb for their performances.

Emperor Naruhito became Emperor of Japan on 1 May after the abdication of his father, Emperor Emeritus Akihito the previous day. His Enthronement Ceremony took place on 22 October in the State Room of the Imperial Palace.

The last of the enthronement activities will take place next month. A parade featuring the Emperor and Empress was due to take place this week but a typhoon that hit two weeks ago in Japan cause devastation and dozens of deaths. As a result, it was postponed.

The Prince of Wales’s trip to Japan came to a conclusion yesterday with the Prince’s Twitter account Clarence House tweeting, “Thank you Japan for the warm welcome – the fantastic visit has come to an end.”