Japanese emperor winds up Swiss trip with Red Cross visit
The Japanese emperor, Akihito, and his wife, Michiko, have wrapped up a three-day trip to Switzerland with a visit to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva. They were also received by the Swiss president, Adolf Ogi.
The imperial couple marked their visit to the ICRC by signing the visitors’ book in traditional Japanese calligraphy, and donating SFr80,000 to the organisation. Empress Michiko is honorary president of the Japanese Red Cross.
They were then formally welcomed by ICRC president, Jakob Kellenberger, who paid tribute to Japan for its support of the organisation. He said the country “has never hesitated to support the ICRC politically [and] is also one of its largest donors”.
The couple ended their trip with a stroll around Geneva’s old town. They were received by the Swiss President in the town hall.
swissinfo with agencies
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