The Emperor and Empress visited Okinawa on Saturday for the first time since the Emperor's accession to the throne.
The Imperial couple will attend the opening ceremony of the National Cultural Festival and the National Art and Cultural Festival for Persons with Disabilities during their two-day trip.
The Emperor last visited Okinawa in July 2010 when he was crown prince and the Empress last visited in 1997 when she was crown princess.
This is the first time the Imperial couple has been on an overnight trip in Japan since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
On Saturday, the Emperor was scheduled to meet officials who were involved in the May ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the return of Okinawa to Japan.
On Sunday, he will deliver a speech at the opening ceremony of the festivals in Ginowan.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
