Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko met with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni at the Imperial Palace on Monday.
Sihamoni, a son of Norodom Sihanouk, who abdicated in October 2004, is making the first state visit to Japan by a Cambodian king since its monarchy was restored in 1993, the Imperial Household Agency said.
Ahead of the meeting, an event to welcome the 56-year-old king was held at a garden in the palace attended by the Imperial Couple, Crown Prince Naruhito and his brother, Prince Akishino, and his wife, and Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and his wife, Miyuki.
The Cambodian king was scheduled to attend a banquet hosted by the Emperor and Empress in the evening, as well as a luncheon hosted by Hatoyama and his wife Tuesday. He will visit Kyoto on Wednesday before returning home Thursday.
