Japanese royalty visit Victoria this weekend
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Updated: July 07, 2009 1:14 PM
Last of a three-part series
Enthusiasts of the Japanese imperial family will have a couple of opportunities to see the emperor and empress this weekend.
On Friday at 5:15 p.m., the public is invited to welcome Emperor Akihito and his wife Michiko as they arrive at Government House from the airport.
The visit, which began in Ottawa on July 3, is part of a Canadian tour marking 80 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Emperor Akihito first visited Victoria in 1953, the year after the peace treaty with Japan took effect.
At that time, the 19 year old came as a representative of his father, Emperor Showa.
“The official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia in Victoria ... was, in fact, the place where I spent my first night ever in a foreign country,” wrote Akihito in a press release.
On Saturday (July 11), the public will get their second chance to exchange greetings with the royal couple as they tour the B.C. legislature.
After meeting Premier Gordon Campbell, Akihito and Michiko will leave the building out the main gate on their way to the motorcade. People are welcome to gather outside the main entrance at 10:30 a.m.
Next, the majesties head to Government House for lunch and a meeting with select members of the Japanese-Canadian community.
Finally, on Sunday the emperor will make his last stop at the Institute of Ocean Sciences near Sidney.
There, they’ll learn about the institute’s seafloor observatory, project NEPTUNE. They’ll also hear presentations by scientists.
“The emperor is quite interested in fisheries issues and sciences,” said Diane Lake, communications officer with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
After arriving at the airport, the emperor and empress will fly to Vancouver, which marks the last stop on their Canadian tour.
rholmen@saanichnews.com
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