Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will make a two-week official goodwill visit to Poland and Hungary in July, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said Tuesday.
The Emperor and Empress will leave Japan on July 6 and also make stopovers in the Czech Republic and Austria, the top government spokesman said.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said in a statement: "Japan has traditionally friendly relationships with the countries. I believe that the ties will be strengthened with the visits of the Emperor and the Empress."
The visit will be the couple's 10th trip abroad since the Emperor was crowned in 1989 and their first since they visited the Netherlands and other parts of Europe in May and June 2000. They will meet the presidents of the two countries during their trip and visit cities outside the capital, including Krakow in southern Poland, the Imperial Household Agency said.
The visit was approved by the government at a Cabinet meeting the same day, Fukuda said.