Emperor Akihito and Empress Masako arrived at Matsuyama Airport in Ehime Prefecture on Saturday [1], [2].
The visit underscores the imperial couple's commitment to environmental conservation and disaster recovery support in regions still recovering from extreme weather events.
The couple arrived in the morning, with reports on the timing ranging from 10 a.m. [2] to approximately 11:30 a.m. [1]. This visit is part of a two-day itinerary spanning May 16 and May 17 [3].
On Sunday, the Emperor and Empress will attend the ceremony for the 76th National Tree Planting Festival [1], [4]. The event focuses on the importance of reforestation and the sustainable management of natural resources within the prefecture.
Beyond the festival, the imperial itinerary includes a visit to the aquarium club at Nagahama High School in Ozu City [1], [5]. The couple also plans to meet with individuals affected by the 2018 West Japan Heavy Rain disaster [5], [6]. During these meetings, the Emperor and Empress will receive briefings on the current status of reconstruction efforts and hold conversations with survivors [6], [7].
These engagements are designed to highlight the ongoing challenges of recovery years after the 2018 floods, an event that caused widespread devastation across western Japan [5]. By visiting both educational institutions and disaster-hit communities, the imperial couple continues a pattern of engaging with diverse social, and environmental issues across the country [7].
“The Emperor and Empress will attend the ceremony for the 76th National Tree Planting Festival.”
This visit blends traditional state ceremonies with targeted humanitarian outreach. By linking the National Tree Planting Festival with a review of the 2018 flood recovery, the imperial couple connects the theme of environmental stewardship with the practical necessity of disaster resilience. Their presence in Ehime serves as a symbolic gesture of national solidarity for survivors and a reminder of the long-term nature of infrastructure and ecological restoration following catastrophic weather events.
