Japanese royal couple welcomes Spanish King Carlos, Queen Sofia
Tokyo - Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko Monday hosted a welcoming ceremony for visiting Spanish King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia at Tokyo's Imperial Palace.
The Spanish royal couple arrived in Tokyo as state guests for a six-day trip.
The welcoming ceremony was attended also by Crown Prince Naruhito and Princess Masako, the emperor's brother Prince Hitachi and Princess Hanako.
Princess Masako appeared for a public duty for the first time in five years when she last attended an official ceremony to welcome then-Mexican president Vincent Fox and his wife.
The princess has been treated for stress-related illness. (dpa)
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