Japan announces Emperor and Empress will make June state visits to the Netherlands and Belgium

Japan's cabinet finalised on 12 May 2026 that Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will make state visits to the Netherlands and Belgium in June, following invitations from King Willem-Alexander and King Philippe. The couple are to arrive in the Netherlands and then travel to Belgium, with the overall European itinerary spanning roughly 13-26 June; it will be the imperial couple's fourth overseas goodwill trip since the Emperor's 2019 enthronement, and 2026 marks the 160th anniversary of Japan-Belgium diplomatic ties.

The Royal House of the Netherlands published the detailed Dutch programme on 2 June: the Dutch leg runs 17-19 June, opening with a welcome ceremony on Dam Square in Amsterdam, a wreath-laying at the National Monument, a visit to flood-safety institute Deltares in Delft, and an evening state banquet at the Royal Palace. Subsequent days include the States General in The Hague, lunch at the Mauritshuis (viewing Vermeer's 'Girl with a Pearl Earring') with Prime Minister Rob Jetten, the Peace Palace, Leiden University and its Japanese garden, the Princess Máxima Center for pediatric oncology in Utrecht, and a cherry-tree planting in the Amsterdamse Bos.

Japanese reporting noted former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba would serve as chief attendant and that the imperial couple would lay flowers at war memorials. The visits reinforce long-standing ties between the Japanese imperial house and the Dutch and Belgian royal families.