Crown Prince Naruhito left for Turkey via Germany on Saturday on commercial aircraft to make a private weeklong visit to attend the 5th World Water Forum.
It will be the Crown Prince's first visit to Turkey, the Imperial Household Agency said. The Turkish government and an organizational board of the forum invited the Crown Prince specifically, and Crown Princess Masako will not accompany him, the agency said.
As the prince's trip is not mainly for the enhancement of Japanese-Turkish relations, the trip to the major water conference is being described as a private visit.
On Monday, the Crown Prince will attend the opening ceremony of the forum, which will be held in Istanbul through March 22. He will then deliver a keynote speech on Tuesday.
