Japan's emperor, empress to visit quake-hit Kumamoto in late September

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are set to embark on a day-long visit to Kumamoto Prefecture in late September, according to sources close to the Imperial Household Agency. The royal couple plans to pay their respects to areas severely affected by a July earthquake, as well as meet with those impacted by the disaster. They are expected to arrive in Kumamoto by air and explore the damage using an SDF-provided helicopter.

The emperor and empress have shown deep concern over the extensive destruction and for those affected by the magnitude 7.1 quake. A close aide revealed their hope to visit the affected regions to extend their sympathies once conditions permit. The Imperial Household Agency initially planned a two-day trip in late September to review reconstruction efforts a decade after the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, but the itinerary was altered following the July 28 temblor.

The royal couple also skipped a visit to an imperial estate in central Japan's Shizuoka Prefecture in early August and extended their condolences to Kumamoto Governor Takashi Kimura on August 3.