Royal family travels to Japan

King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk, Queen Jetsum Pema and Prince Jigme Namgyal Wangchuk have left for Japan on Monday to attend the enthronement ceremony of Japan’s new Emperor Naruhito.

In a ritual bound ceremony, Emperor Naruhito is ascending the Japanese throne on Tuesday following the abdication of his father Akihito.

Bhutan and Japan share close ties of friendship, with diplomatic relations established in 1986. Emperor Naruhito visited Bhutan as a Prince in 1987, and King Jigme Singye Wangchuk had attended the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Akihito in 1990.