At the invitation of His Majesty The King, Her Imperial Highness Princess Mako of Akishino of Japan will visit Bhutan in June. The Japanese Princess is expected to arrive in the country on June 1 for a seven day official visit.
Twenty five-year-old Princess Mako is the daughter of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko. She is the eldest granddaughter of the reigning emperor of Japan, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.
Princess Mako’s visit to Bhutan this June will be the third visit to Bhutan by a member of Japan’s Imperial family.
The first and second royal visits were made by His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito in March 1987, and Their Imperial Highnesses Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko Akishino in March 1997.
While in the country, Princess Mako will grace the opening of the Third Royal Bhutan Flower Exhibition. The exhibition will be held at the Memorial Chorten in Thimphu.
Bhutan and Japan share a long history of close bilateral relations. A news release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Princess Mako’s visit will further strengthen the existing ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.