On November 10, senior members of Japan’s Imperial Family engaged in activities ranging from traditional personal observances to high-level international relations.

Princess Aiko visited the Musashino Imperial Graveyard in the morning on November 10 to pay her respects to Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako ahead of her trip to Laos.

It is customary for Imperial Family members to visit the imperial graveyard site on milestones such as school graduations or international diplomatic visits.

The Princess bowed quietly in reverence and offered a tamagushi (a traditional offering) while paying her respects to Emperor Hirohito.

She will make her first official visit to Laos on November 17 for a six-day itinerary, marking the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

In addition to visiting President Thongloun Sisoulith and attending a state dinner, visits are also planned to facilities conducting awareness campaigns for unexploded ordnance.

Princess Aiko also paid her respects to Empress Nagako at the east mausoleum.

Later that day, Emperor Naruhito invited King Abdullah II of Jordan and Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad to the Imperial Residence, where they dined together.

The Emperor greeted the King and his entourage at around 6:00PM at the carriage entrance, where they exchanged smiles and handshakes.

The Imperial Household and the Royal Family of Jordan have enjoyed longstanding relations.

When King Abdullah II and Queen Rania, along with Crown Prince Hussein, visited Japan in 2023, the Emperor and Empress received them at the Imperial Palace.

King Abdullah II also met with the Emperor at the Imperial Palace in 2022 when the King was in Japan to attend the state funeral of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo. 

The Imperial couple then again met with King Abdullah II in the UK when they were there to attend the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II.

The day's events, from honoring ancestors to hosting foreign dignitaries, illustrate the broad scope of activities undertaken by the Japanese Imperial Family.