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)