NMI visit of Japan imperial couple firms up—reports

Citing government sources, latest media reports in Japan said that Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko are likely to visit Saipan in late June, possibly around June 27.

Reports said that the Japanese government is making final arrangements with the U.S. State Department for the high-profile visit.

The imperial couple has reportedly expressed a strong desire to visit Saipan, the site of fierce fighting between Japanese and U.S. forces during World War II.

The CNMI government and the Japanese Consulate on Saipan have not confirmed the visit.

Governor press secretary Peter A. Callaghan said, though, that the Japanese Consul General on Guam would arrive on Saipan tomorrow to meet with local officials in connection with the planned visit of the royal couple.

“It’s to discuss the possibility of the emperor and the empress coming to Saipan,” said Callaghan.

As of Wednesday last week, Japan Consul Takeo Saito said that his office has received no official information yet on the imperial couple’s visit.

Marianas Visitors Authority board chair David Sablan earlier said that, based on unconfirmed reports, the visit is tentatively scheduled for June 27.

Sablan said that having the imperial couple come to the CNMI would be very significant for the islands’ tourism.

“We’re all excited about his visit. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event and the CNMI should do everything possible to prepare a grand welcome for the Emperor,” Sablan said.

Japanese media reports said that the Emperor and Empress could stay one or two nights on Saipan.

Their schedule would include visits to Banzai Cliff, where Japanese soldiers and civilians jumped to their deaths to avoid surrendering to U.S. forces, and to American Memorial Park.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II.

U.S. forces landed on Saipan in June 1944 and fought a bitter battle with Japan, which controlled the island during that time.

Estimates showed that about 40,000 Japanese troops and civilians died, while more than 10,000 U.S. soldiers were killed during the Battle of Saipan.

The royal couple’s visit, if realized, would be the first by a Japanese emperor or any imperial family member in the postwar era to any of the Pacific islands once occupied by Japan.