The king and queen of Bhutan attended a welcoming ceremony Wednesday hosted by Crown Prince Naruhito at the Imperial Palace, the Imperial Household Agency said, noting the pair are the first state guests Japan has received since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
Wearing traditional Bhutanese dress, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema were greeted by the Crown Prince on behalf of Emperor Akihito, who has been hospitalized with bronchitis.
During conversations following the ceremony, the Crown Prince reportedly thanked Wangchuck for holding a special prayer session in a Bhutanese monastery for victims of the March disaster. He also relayed a message from the Emperor expressing his regret for not being able to welcome the royal couple in person.