Emperor Naruhito Arrives in Belgium for Historic State Visit

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan arrived in Belgium on Saturday, 20 June 2026, marking the first state visit by a reigning Japanese emperor to the country since 1993. The six-day visit (20–25 June) commemorates the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Belgium, established with the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation in 1866, and underscores the deep personal friendship between the Japanese Imperial Family and the Belgian Royal Family.

The imperial couple was welcomed at Melsbroek military airport by Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, the Duchess of Brabant and heir to the Belgian throne, who recently graduated from Harvard University. The welcoming ceremony set the tone for a visit that blends personal diplomacy with strategic statecraft.

A Friendship Spanning Decades

Emperor Naruhito (born 23 February 1960) and King Philippe of the Belgians (born 15 April 1960) are nearly the same age and have cultivated a friendship over decades. According to the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, the Emperor first visited Belgium in 1976 as a teenager accompanying his father, then-Crown Prince Akihito. In 1999, then-Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako attended the wedding of Crown Prince Philippe and Mathilde in Brussels, marking the beginning of a close relationship between the couples.

The personal connections extend to the next generation as well. Princess Aiko of Japan (born 2001) and Princess Elisabeth of Belgium (born 2001) were born weeks apart and, as children, spent time together during a family holiday in the Netherlands in 2006, hosted by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.

The Official Programme

After a weekend retreat at the Château de Ciergnon in the Namur province — a neo-Gothic country residence of the Belgian royal family — the formal state visit begins on Tuesday, 23 June. The programme includes a ceremonial welcome at the Place des Palais, a visit to the Grand-Place with a balcony appearance at the Town Hall, and meetings with Prime Minister Bart De Wever and parliamentary presidents. A state dinner will be held at the Royal Palace of Laeken on Tuesday evening.

On Wednesday, 24 June, the Emperor will visit Namur for a presentation on water management — reflecting his long-standing expertise in water policy, having served as honorary president of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation from 2007 to 2015. The itinerary also includes a tour of the IMEC microelectronics centre in Leuven, Europe’s leading semiconductor research centre, where over 100 Japanese researchers are employed, and a visit to the KU Leuven East Asian Library, which houses 14,000 volumes donated by Japan after World War I.

Economic and Technological Dimensions

The visit carries significant economic weight. Approximately 250 Japanese companies operate in Belgium, employing 25,000 people, with annual bilateral trade averaging ¥2 trillion (approximately €11 billion). Major Japanese firms include Toyota, with its European research centre in Zaventem; Takeda, which operates its third-largest factory in Lessines; and Daikin, with a research centre in Ghent. Around 80 Belgian firms, including Cartamundi and Xylergy, are active in Japan.

Ambassador Takeshi Osuga, the Japanese Ambassador to Belgium, wrote in The Brussels Times that “our bonds are stronger than mere diplomacy. They are personal and intergenerational, enriched by the heartfelt friendship between the Imperial and Royal Families.” He added that “in an increasingly turbulent world, Belgium and Japan stand together for freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.”

Acknowledging History, Building Peace

In a press conference at the Imperial Palace on 11 June, Emperor Naruhito addressed the complex history between Japan and the Benelux countries during World War II, stating: “We must not forget that there was a period of hardship in the relationship between Japan and the Netherlands and Belgium. I would like to think about those who still bear the pain of that time.” He emphasised the importance of learning “humbly from past history, deepening understanding, and cultivating a love for peace.”

Cultural Exchange and Youth

The visit also highlights cultural diplomacy. Japan is the guest of honour at the Ommegang festival in Brussels in July 2026, and the Brussels Flower Carpet in August will feature a design inspired by Katsushika Hokusai’s iconic woodblock print “The Great Wave off Kanagawa,” created by Japanese artisans. The Emperor expressed hope that the visit would “encourage young people to take an interest in each other’s countries, and that exchanges and friendship between the younger generations will deepen further.”

What to Watch For

As the imperial couple continues their visit through 25 June, observers will be watching for concrete outcomes in semiconductor cooperation following the IMEC visit, and for any new economic agreements between the two nations. The visit reaffirms Japan’s strategic focus on strengthening ties with Benelux countries as key partners within the European Union, building on a 160-year-old friendship that shows no signs of fading.