Emperor, Empress Visit Kumamoto after July Quake
Kumamoto, Sept. 30 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrived in Kumamoto Prefecture on Wednesday to comfort people affected by a powerful earthquake that struck the southwestern Japan prefecture in July and to thank those involved in relief efforts. The Imperial couple left Tokyo's Haneda Airport on a special flight earlier in the day and landed at Kumamoto Airport....
Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako journeyed to Kumamoto Prefecture on Wednesday to offer solace to those impacted by the devastating earthquake that struck the region in July, and to express gratitude towards the individuals involved in the relief efforts. Departing from Tokyo's Haneda Airport on a specially chartered flight earlier that day, the Imperial couple touched down at Kumamoto Airport.
Following a briefing from Governor Takashi Kimura on the aftermath of the July 28 earthquake, the Emperor and Empress embarked on their tour of affected areas. In the afternoon, they flew to Yatsushiro, one of the regions most severely hit by the disaster, aboard a helicopter operated by the Self-Defense Forces. Continuing on foot, they proceeded to visit the cities of Uki and Hikawa, both of which bore significant damage from the quake.
The visit was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but was postponed due to adverse weather conditions that would have made helicopter travel hazardous. Upon completing their tour, the Emperor and Empress planned to return to Tokyo later in the day, a move intended to minimize any further strain on the already beleaguered local communities.
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