Japan's royalty to visit RI, celebrations

JAKARTA (Jakarta Post) : Japan's Prince Akishino and Princess Kawashimo Kiko are scheduled to visit Indonesia from Jan. 18 to 24 to attend celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Indonesia and Japan's diplomatic relations.

"The Japanese prince and princess will arrive here on the evening of January 18 to start their activities the next day," Presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal told Antara on Thursday.

The peak of celebrations for the anniversary will be held at the Indonesia-in-Miniature Park (TMII) on Jan. 20 in the presence of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Dino said.

Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko would represent Japanese Emperor Akihito.

Akishino, the second son of Akihito, was married to Princess Kiko in 1990.

To honor their 50th anniversary of bilateral relations, the two governments would hold a number joint activities in the economic, social, cultural and sports fields, Dino said.

Besides attending the peak event, the Japanese prince and princess are also scheduled to visit Prambanan and Borobudur temples in Central Java, Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta.