Aiko to make official visit to Singapore on 17-21 November, her second trip abroad
In short
Japan's cabinet approved on 23 October an official visit to Singapore by Aiko, daughter of the Emperor and Empress, from 17 to 21 November. It marks 60 years of diplomatic relations and is her second official overseas visit after Laos last year. She is due to call on the Singapore president and attend a meal he hosts.
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Aiko, the daughter of the Emperor and Empress, will make an official visit to Singapore from 17 to 21 November. The cabinet approved the plan on 23 October, according to Japanese outlets that cited the Imperial Household Agency. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
This year is the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Singapore. Tokyo Shimbun and Nishi-Nippon Shimbun, carrying a Kyodo News report, said she was invited by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Nippon TV said the invitation came from the Singapore president, and Asahi Shimbun said it came from the Singapore government. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
According to the agency, as reported by Nippon TV, Tokyo Shimbun and Nishi-Nippon, Aiko is to leave Haneda airport on a commercial flight on the morning of 17 November and arrive in the afternoon. Nippon TV and Asahi named Changi airport as the arrival point. Nippon TV said she leaves Singapore on the morning of 21 November and returns to Japan that afternoon, and Asahi also gave the afternoon of 21 November for her return. [ 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
In Singapore she is to make a courtesy call on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and attend a meal hosted by him. Nippon TV said visits to facilities and talks with people with ties to Japan and with Japanese residents are also planned. Mainichi said meetings with government dignitaries and facility visits are planned, but the specific schedule was still being coordinated. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
It will be Aiko's second official overseas visit, after Laos in November last year. She visited the Singapore pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai Expo last year; Tokyo Shimbun and Nishi-Nippon said this was in May. Nippon TV said she saw an orchid named "Masako Kotaishi Hidenka", which was named to commemorate the marriage of the Emperor and Empress. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
Nippon TV also said there have been four imperial visits to Singapore so far. In 2006, the former Emperor and Empress visited as state guests, when the two countries marked the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The outlets present the trip as part of marking 60 years of diplomatic ties between Japan and Singapore. The documents give no further assessment of its significance.
Key facts
- The cabinet approved on 23 October an official visit to Singapore by Aiko, daughter of the Emperor and Empress. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- The visit runs from 17 to 21 November. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- This year is the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Singapore. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- Aiko is to call on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and attend a meal hosted by the president. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- It is her second official overseas visit, after Laos in November last year. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- She is to leave Haneda airport on a commercial flight on the morning of 17 November and arrive in Singapore that afternoon. [ 2 , 6 , 7 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The cabinet approved on 23 October an official visit to Singapore by Aiko from 17 to 21 November. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- The visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of Japan-Singapore diplomatic relations, and Aiko received an invitation from the Singapore side. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- Planned events include a courtesy call on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and a meal hosted by the president. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- It is Aiko's second official overseas visit, after Laos in November last year. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- Aiko travels from Haneda airport on a commercial flight. [ 2 , 3 , 6 , 7 ]
Still unclear
- The detailed programme in Singapore. Mainichi said meetings with government dignitaries and facility visits are planned but the specific schedule was still being coordinated; Asahi also described events as being arranged.
- Who issued the invitation. Nippon TV said the Singapore president invited her, Tokyo Shimbun and Nishi-Nippon said President Shanmugaratnam did, and Asahi said the Singapore government did.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TBS NEWS DIG published that the cabinet had approved the visit. [ 1 ]
- Nippon TV reported the visit from 17 November for five days. [ 2 ]
- Mainichi Shimbun reported the visit and that the detailed schedule was being coordinated. [ 3 ]
- Asahi Shimbun reported the visit after the cabinet approval on 23 October. [ 4 ]
- Tokyo Shimbun carried the Kyodo News report of the visit. [ 6 ]