British State Visit to Japan, 1975

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were hosted by Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako on their first and only State Visit to Japan on this day in 1975, which was the first visit by a British Monarch, 30 years after the end of the Second World War. The State Visit followed the Emperor’s State Visit to British in 1971.

Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako received the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on their first and only State Visit to Japan in 1975.

In the evening, Emperor Hirohito (in the Order of the Garter) and Empress Nagako (in the Meiji Scroll Tiara) hosted a State Banquet in honour of the Queen (wearing the Burmese Ruby Tiara) and Duke at the Imperial Palace.

Other events during the State Visit included a motorcade through Tokyo, a Dinner hosted by the Prime Minister, Tea with the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, a Sumo Match, and a traditional Japanese Dinner in Kyoto.

Their itinerary, which you can see, was packed with official visits. The couple was at least given a chance to “rest” in Kyoto, but due to the ongoing transport strike, they flew there instead.  The queen took in the sights of temples and sipped green tea in the Katsura Imperial Villa Garden.

The Queen (wearing the Vladimir Tiara) and Duke of Edinburgh also hosted a Return Banquet in honour of the Japanese Emperor and Empress at the British Embassy in Tokyo.

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The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were hosted by Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako on their first State Visit to Japan on this day in 1975, which was the first visit by a British Monarch, 30 years after the end of the Second World War. The State Visit followed the Emperor’s State Visit to British in 1971. The highlight was the State Banquet hosted by the Emperor  (in the Order of the Garter) and Empress (wearing the Meiji Scroll Tiara and the Order of the Precious Crown) in honour of the (wearing the Burmese Ruby Tiara (for the first time) and the Order of the Chrysanthemum) and Duke of Edinburgh (in the Order of the Chrysanthemum) at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

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Other events included a procession through Tokyo, a Dinner hosted by the Prime Minister, a traditional Japanese Dinner in Kyoto, and a Return Dinner hosted by the Queen (wearing the Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara and the Order of the Chrysanthemum) and Duke (in the Order of the Chrysanthemum)  in honour of the Emperor and Empress at the British Embassy.

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