TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Japanese Emperor Naruhito will visit Indonesia at the of June, said the government officials Thursday, April 6. This will mark the first official visit of the emperor to Indonesia since ascending his throne in 2019.

Empress Masako, who has long struggled with mental health problems, will accompany the emperor if her condition permits, said Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were invited by Indonesian President Joko Widodo when he and her wife visited the Imperial Palace in July last year.

The year 2023 marks 50 years of friendship and cooperation between Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Nine other ASEAN country members include Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. This year is Indonesia's turn as the Chair of ASEAN.

ASEAN is currently establishing several external collaborations with regional and international organizations, as well as dialogue partners including Japan.

The Japanese Emperor and Empress last traveled abroad when they visited Britain in September last year to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

Emperor Naruhito's parents, former Emperor Akihito and former Empress Michiko, had also visited Indonesia in 1991 as part of their first overseas tour after being crowned emperor several years earlier.

ANTARA

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