Courtesy call

And we all realize that this is a South Korean meeting the Emperor, right? I wonder how Park feels about this.

And we all realize that this is a South Korean meeting the Emperor, right?

Do we?

Crown Prince <> Emperor

gokai wo manekuna

I wonder how Park feels about this.

I don't

And we all realize that this is a South Korean meeting the Emperor, right? I wonder how Park feels about this.

The Crown Prince, technically. And he's not president of Koreans for Union with Japan, but Secretary-General of the United Nations. If anything, it seems to me that he's using his office to attempt reconciliation among the East Asian giants.

Of interest to me is the visibility of the Crown Prince of late, including his comments of WWII. Is he being positioned for a imminent succession? Is Akihito planning to abdicate? Should we be concerned for his health?

This is awesome, really.

Emperor Naruhito made waves with his comments regarding WWII and how Japan shouldn't forget what happened.

Meanhwile, Ban Ki-Moon was born when Japan occupied Korea before the end of WWII. Then at six years old his family hid "...in a place where neither the South Korean nor North Korean armies would come, but we were poor and hungry...I could see the fighter jets bombing the towns and cities nearby." And he questioned US military force in 2001 as a Korean diplomat.

This is a meeting of like minds, people in position of power and influence. Only good can come of it.

And they coordinated outfits!

She should have worn a Ki Moon(o) for the occasion....... :)

at least Masako actually joined in, or was it just for the photo?

why is the media all of sudden shoving down the Crown Prince down our throats. As a Japanese taxpayer I am sick of supporting them. I want my own money to be used for other things than to feed and support this outdated system of royalty.

at least Masako actually joined in, or was it just for the photo?

Actually, have you noticed that she seems to enjoy taking part in official engagements involving foreign nations? And she has no interest in local, Japanese ones ...

I think this could be a strength. She would've made a great diplomat for Japan. It's not too late now. Let Masako do what she does best! It can only be good for Japan.

@kaeri: Royal ladies did not wear kimonos.

it is easy for her to enjoy visitors in their home. Both of them are full of smiles.

Crown Princess Masako, naturally relaxed and breathtaking elegance.

I hope on behalf of the U.N. that Ban thanked the Crown Prince for his recent comment aimed in Abe's direction regarding not re-writing history, and that he asked him to continue to be a voice of reason in Japan and all of Asia.

Ban Ki-moon was an outstanding Korean diplomat, ending as Foreign Minister. Now he is outstanding international statesman who also happens to be Korean. That is good not only for Korea but also for Japan, and China, and the Americans, and for the rest of the world, too.

Japanese who speak too soon and too negatively about someone just because they are Korean should just get a bit more educated. That he is meeting the Crown Prince, who has demonstrated recently his aptitude for mature statesmanship when compared to other Japanese leaders is a wonderful thing that should be celebrated.

@liarsnfools: Ban happened to be Korean but he is a rare outstanding world diplomat.

Like the prince, seems like a good guy but he's always the smallest one in the pic.

Ban Ki-moon was an outstanding Korean diplomat, ending as Foreign Minister. Now he is outstanding international statesman who also happens to be Korean. That is good not only for Korea but also for Japan, and China, and the Americans, and for the rest of the world, too.

He's not without contoversy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ban_Ki-moon#Criticism