Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrived at Matsuyama Airport around 11:30 a.m. this Saturday [1], [3] to begin a visit to Ehime Prefecture.
The visit combines a traditional environmental celebration with a humanitarian effort to assess the long-term recovery of regions devastated by natural disasters.
The royal couple is scheduled to attend the 76th National Tree Planting Festival ceremony on Sunday, May 17 [1], [4]. This annual event emphasizes the importance of reforestation, and environmental stewardship across Japan.
Beyond the ceremony, the Emperor and Empress will receive briefings on the recovery progress following the 2018 Western Japan Heavy Rain floods [1], [2]. The couple is expected to hold discussions with survivors of those floods to hear firsthand accounts of the reconstruction process.
As part of their itinerary, the royal couple will also visit the aquarium club at Nagahama High School in Ozu City [1]. This stop highlights the couple's interest in local educational initiatives, and student-led scientific projects.
The visit concludes on May 17 [4] after the official ceremonies and community meetings are completed.
“The royal couple arrived at Matsuyama Airport around 11:30 a.m. this Saturday”
This visit serves a dual purpose: maintaining the symbolic continuity of the National Tree Planting Festival and providing high-level visibility to the ongoing recovery from the 2018 floods. By meeting survivors and visiting a high school club, the imperial couple reinforces the role of the monarchy in providing emotional support and acknowledging local resilience during the reconstruction phase of disaster management.
