The Emperor and Empress attended a Monday evening banquet hosted by Swedish King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia at the Stockholm Royal Palace.
The two couples, in swallow-tailed coats and intricately decorated evening dresses, sat together and chatted during the banquet.
"I sincerely hope the people of our two countries will continue cooperating with each other to realize their common wish -- world peace and prosperity," the Emperor said in a speech.
The Emperor recounted memories of his 1953 visit to Sweden -- he had stopped here on his way home from Britain, where he attended the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. He also discussed the history of exchanges between Japan and Sweden that began in the 17th century.