JP Emperor departure to Indonesia

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako have left Tokyo on a seven-day official visit to Indonesia. It is their first goodwill trip abroad since the Emperor ascended the throne in 2019.

The couple departed from Haneda Airport on a government plane on Saturday morning, after being greeted by Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and the charge d'affaires of the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo.

They are scheduled to meet Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his wife and attend a luncheon on Monday. On Tuesday, the Imperial couple are to lay flowers at Kalibata cemetery, which is dedicated to national heroes who fought for the country's independence. Indonesia is the 14th country the couple has visited since they were married in 1993.