London’s Kew Gardens Has Long Links to Japan. Now the Emperor Is Set to Visit.
New York TimesJun 26
Japanese Emperor, Empress Begin Three-Day Visit to UK
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Image copyright: Chris Jackson/Staff/Chris Jackson Collection via Getty Images
The Facts
Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrived at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, where they were greeted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla as they began a three-day state visit to the UK.
The King and Queen gifted the Emperor and Empress a signed photograph of the Japanese couple. In return, King Charles was given a Wajima lacquerware box, and the Queen received a Saga Nishiki brocade handbag.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The history of the 20th century shows the importance of state visits like these. While the UK and Japan held a 20-year alliance at the beginning of the last century, that quickly fell apart thanks to World War II. Likewise, the UK and its Japanese counterparts must maintain strong diplomatic and military cooperation today in the face of a growing Chinese military power.
Establishment-critical narrative
While ruling Japanese politicians are fully on board with the West's geopolitical agenda in East Asia, the Japanese people are not. Japan shouldn't risk collapsing its successful history of pacifism simply to appease the West. Instead, its leaders should listen to the will of the people and spend equal time on strengthening ties with both the West and China.
