By AYA NAGATANI/ Staff Writer
October 24, 2019 at 14:20 JST
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako greet Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf at a tea party they hosted at the Akasaka Imperial Residence in Tokyo on Oct. 23. (Provided by the Imperial Household Agency)
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako hosted a tea party at their home on Oct. 23 for foreign royals who attended the enthronement ceremony the previous day.
Thirty-one dignitaries representing 18 countries, including Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf, joined the party at the Akasaka Imperial Residence, according to the Imperial Household Agency.
Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko were also in attendance, along with seven other members of the imperial family.
The agency said the imperial couple spoke with the guests individually and thanked them for joining the Sokuirei-Seiden-no-Gi ceremony held Oct. 22 at the Imperial Palace.
Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko, who are acquainted with many of the royals, also joined the party, the agency added.
In the Heisei Era (1989-2019), tea parties were hosted by the then imperial couple and separately by then Crown Prince Naruhito.
On this occasion, however, a single party was held, as the number of imperial family members has decreased.
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