President to join enthronement of Japan Emperor Oct 22

President Sauli Niinistö and First Lady Jenni Haukio will visit Japan from October 21 to 23, said an official press release.

On October 22, they will attend the ceremony of the enthronement of the Emperor of Japan Naruhito.

The presidential couple will take part in the official ceremonies and a gala dinner hosted by the Imperial Couple at the Imperial Palace.

Niinistö’s programme will also include a meeting with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a dinner hosted by the Prime Minister as well as other meetings.

Additionally, Haukio will visit the Moominvalley theme park in the city of Hanno. The items on display during the visit will reflect Tove Jansson’s cultural legacy.

The presidential couple’s previous visit to Japan took place in 2016 when they also met Japan’s former Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko paid a visit to Finland last July to celebrate the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Finland and Japan.