3/21/2012
The Imperial Dinner welcoming the Amir of Kuwait

On Wednesday, the Imperial Dinner was held at the Imperial Palace welcoming the Amir of the State of Kuwait H.H. Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who is visiting Japan as a state guest. The dinner was hosted by the Crown Prince on behalf of the Emperor since he is recuperating from an open heart surgery. About 150 guests, including Mr. and Mrs. Akishinonomiya, their daughter, Ms. Mako, members of the Imperial family, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and other Ministers, joined the occasion. The dinner was organized in a very special manner mainly at the request of the Kuwait side, as at the initial part, the national anthems of the both nations were played, but no formal speeches were given. Also no time was set for the informal chat among honorary guests after the dinner. It is said that in Kuwait no dinner speeches are usually given. Furthermore a particular caution was given for a probable absence of the Emperor, aged 78, and for the condition of H.H. Sheikh Sabah, aged 82, who had attended occasions of welcoming him in Japan.