King Sihamoni is on his first state visit to Japan
TOKYO (AFP)— Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko hosted a welcoming ceremony and banquet for Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni at their Imperial Palace Monday, officials said.
King Sihamoni, the 57-year-old eldest son of former king Norodom Sihanouk, arrived in Tokyo on Sunday on his first state visit to Japan, for meetings with Japanese royals and political leaders, the Imperial Household Agency said.
He is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Tuesday.
One of Asia's longest-serving monarchs, Sihanouk abruptly quit the throne in October 2004 in favour of his son, citing old age and health problems.
At the welcoming ceremony, Emperor Akihito expressed hope that the king's visit would help enhance the friendly relations and understanding between the two countries, the agency said.
The ceremony in a garden at the palace was attended by the emperor and empress, Crown Prince Naruhito and his brother Prince Akishino and his wife, as well as Prime Minister Hatoyama and his wife, Miyuki, the agency said.
In a speech at the royal banquet, King Sihamoni said Japan-Cambodia cooperation would "help expand stability for the region and the world to develop further," the agency said.
Note: Sihamoni is not the eldest son of Sihanouk. Norodom Yuvaneath is Sihanouk's eldest son.
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