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First visit of Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Japan to India, 1960

Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will be on a State visit to India from 30 November to 5 December. The visit is testimony to the close and friendly relations that exist between India and Japan. The Japanese royal couple's visit is a trip down the memory lane as it comes over five decades after their State visit as Crown Prince & Crown Princess.

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    . Emperor Akihito was born on 23 December 1933. He succeeded his father Emperor Hirohito, posthumously known as Emperor Showa to the Chrysanthemum Throne on 7 January 1989, becoming the 125th monarch of the Yamamoto dynasty. The ceremony of enthronement was held on 12 November 1990. He married Miss Michiko Shoda on 10 April 1959. Empress Michiko has been and continues to be a very popular Empress
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    . Many Japanese politicians still refer warmly to India's declaration of mourning at the demise of Emperor Showa in 1989. In the picture: Emperor Showa, Empress Kojun and Crown Prince Akihito (standing) with Vice President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan who was on a goodwill visit to Japan in October 1956.
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    . Jawaharlal Nehru is remembered fondly for having gifted an elephant to Ueno Zoo in Tokyo in 1949. The elephant, Indira, brought much joy to the Japanese children recovering from the horrors of the Second World War. Pic: Prime Minister Nehru accompanied by Mrs Indira Gandhi with Emperor Showa, Empress Kojun and Crown Prince Akihito during his visit to Tokyo in October 1957.
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    . Emperor Akihito will be the first Japanese Emperor to ever visit India. He as the Crown Prince along with his wife the Crown Princess Michiko earlier visited India from 27 November to 6 December 1960. In Pic: President Rajendra Prasad, Vice President Radhakrishnan and Nehru receive the couple at the Palam Airport.
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    . The couple's India visit was part of their tour to various countries after their wedding in April 1959. It was the first such visit by members of the Japanese royal family after World War II. India accorded their visit the Status of State visit (In Pic: Crown Prince inspecting the Ceremonial guard of honour on his arrival at the Palam airport)
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    . The Emperor and Empress usually visit only one foreign country every year. Their India visit comes on the heels of the 60th anniversary of setting up of the India-Japan diplomatic relations (1952-2012). Their first visit had generated tremendous goodwill among the people of both countries (In Pic: People gather on both sides of the road to greet the Crown Prince and Princess as their cavalcade crosses Connaught Place).
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    . Emperor Akihito last international travel outside Japan was to attend the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of Britain's Queen Elizabeth in May 2012. It is the first time that we are having a State Visit of dignitaries who had been hosted on a State visit more than 50 years ago. In Pic: Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko laying a wreath at Rajghat during their visit in 1960.
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    . The importance given to the visit in 1960 can be discerned by the fact that the entire top leadership called on Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Japan. President Dr. Rajendra Prasad hosted a State banquet in their honour at Rashtrapathi Bhawan on November 29, 2013. In Pic: Crown Prince Akihito makes a speech at the banquet hosted by the President.
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    . Prime Minister Pandit Nehru made a courtesy call on the royal couple during their visit and personally ensured that their visit was pleasant and memorable. In pic: Pandit Nehru, Vice President Radhakrishnan, the Crown Prince and Princess at the Prime Minister’s official residence Teen Murti House.
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    . As part of their visit Their Imperial Highnesses, Crown Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko visited village Nistoli (Loni Development Block) where they were warmly welcomed by the people of the village.
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    . Crown Prince Akihito also laid the foundation stone of New Delhi's India International Centre (IIC), set up on the lines of Tokyo's International House of Japan. Emperor Akihito is scheduled to visit the IIC on 3 December again. Their Imperial Highnesses also visited many National Institutes (In Pic: Crown Prince Akihito at the National Physical Laboratory) and budding Industries of India during their visit.
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    . Crown Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko also visited a number of historic and religious sites including the Taj Mahal in Agra (in pic), Buddhist sites in Gaya, Nalanda and Rajgir during their 1960 visit. The Japanese royal couple are scheduled to visit Delhi and Chennai during their forthcoming visit.
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    . Their Imperial Highnesses’ first visit to India was full of symbolism and goodwill. A number of cultural programmes and public receptions were organized in their honour including a children's rally that was held at New Delhi on 30 November 1960 under the National Discipline Scheme. In Pic: Princess Michiko pins a medal on a player's jacket after watching a polo match during her visit to India in 1960.
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    . The visit of The Emperor and Empress is expected to enhance the mutually beneficial relationship between India and Japan. (In Pic: Prime Minister and his wife Gursharan Kaur called on the Emperor and Empress during their visit to Japan)