OREANDA-NEWS. Emperor of Japan Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako accepted an invitation to visit the United Kingdom this spring. This will be the first overseas state visit of the Japanese monarch after his accession to the throne on May 1, 2019. This was announced on Tuesday by the Buckingham Palace press service on its website.

"Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan accepted the invitation of Her Majesty the Queen to pay a state visit to the United Kingdom in the spring of 2020," the statement said. It's noted that during the visit, the royal couple will be housed in Windsor Castle. Information on the travel program hasn't been provided yet.

The last state visit of the imperial couple of Japan to Great Britain took place in 1998. Twice the previous emperor Akihito and his wife Michiko met with Queen Elizabeth II in 2007 and 2012 during their trips to the United Kingdom.

Emperor Naruhito ascended the throne after his father voluntarily retired due to his advanced age. On October 22, in Tokyo, the ceremony of introducing the new emperor to the country and the world took place, numerous foreign guests were invited to it. On November 10, Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako in an open limousine proceeded in a special motorcade along the streets of the Japanese capital. They were welcomed by more than 120 thousand residents and tourists.