Following an audience with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan today, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that their Imperial Majesties will visit Canada in 2009.
"This year marks the 80th anniversary of the start of formal diplomatic relations between Canada and Japan," said Prime Minister Harper. "The privilege of an audience with their Majesties that Laureen and I had today, and the royal visit to Canada next year, are measures of just how close our countries have become."
It will be the Emperor's first visit to Canada since 1953, when the then-Crown Prince toured several Canadian cities en route to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth.
While in Tokyo, Prime Minister Harper also met with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, and held a roundtable discussion with senior Japanese business leaders, including the heads of the Toyota Motor Corporation, Hitachi and the Japan-Canada Oil Sands
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"Japan is a major investor in Canada and a valued trading partner," said the Prime Minister, noting that both Toyota and Honda are opening new auto plants in Ontario this fall. "There is tremendous potential for our countries to expand our economic ties, particularly in energy, and in developing technologies that will lower carbon emissions in both our countries."
"We believe a stronger Canada-Japan economic partnership would help us realize that potential, and our Government intends to continue working toward that goal," Prime Minister Harper concluded.
