Home | First lady | Activities of Silvia Gašparovičová | Year 2012 | Meeting with the Japanese Emperor
During the second day of official visit of the Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič and his spouse Silvia in Japan (June 27, 2012), the presidential couple was received by His Majesty Emperor Akihito and Her Majesty Empress Michiko at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
"I was very glad that I visited Japan and met the Emperor and the Empress; it´s an interesting country with rich history. Existing relations have always been very good, but personal visit always brings such warmth, such sincerity, and establishes important relationships that continue to evolve," said Mrs. Gašparovičová shortly after meeting with the Japanese imperial couple. "It was slightly different to meet with the Emperor and the Empress. I have to say that the discussions and their access is the same as at the visit of a President. It’s just a more rigorous and slightly different protocol. Everything is a bit focused and then you don´t have to solve any problem – they are solved by the protocol. I liked how the free discussion with a cup of tea and coffee was guided by the Director of Protocol. We always moved to the other members of delegation, so we hadn´t to say goodbye to anyone," said the First Lady of Slovakia.
The presidential couple met also with Crown Prince Naruhito and Princess Masako. During a luncheon with the imperial couple an interesting menu was served: Roasted chicken with eggplant and tomato sauce with capers, beef fillet with vegetables and green salad with demira sauce, as a dessert green melon from Shizuoka Prefecture and small cookies. Of course there was the black or green tea served.
On this day the presidential couple inspected also the modern urban complex of Roppongi Hills, the highest tower in the world Skytree Tobu Tower and Meiji Temple in Tokyo. |