Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan touched down in Brussels on Tuesday, launching a state visit that highlights a bilateral relationship stretching back to 1866. The visit, hosted by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at the Royal Palace, is the first by a Japanese emperor to Belgium in over two decades.
The itinerary includes a meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, a visit to the European Parliament, and a stop at the Amaterasu stage production, a theatrical piece commemorating 160 years of diplomatic ties. The production, staged in Brussels, blends Japanese mythology with European performance traditions.
A Partnership Forged in the 19th Century
Belgium was among the first European nations to establish formal relations with Japan after the Meiji Restoration. The Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation, signed in 1866, opened the way for trade and cultural exchange. Today, Belgium hosts one of Europe's largest Japanese communities, concentrated around the Brussels periphery, and serves as a hub for Japanese companies operating in the EU.
Economic ties remain robust. Japan is Belgium's third-largest trading partner in Asia, with bilateral trade exceeding €12 billion annually. Major Japanese firms including Toyota, Honda, and Sony have significant operations in Belgium, particularly in the Flanders region. The visit is expected to reinforce investment commitments, especially in the semiconductor and green technology sectors.
Cultural diplomacy is also central to the trip. The imperial couple will attend a ceremony at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, where a collection of Japanese woodblock prints is on display. They are also scheduled to visit the Andros AI exhibition at the Bozar Centre for Fine Arts, which explores artificial intelligence through a Japanese-European lens.
Symbolism and Soft Power
Emperor Naruhito, who ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne in 2019, has made international outreach a hallmark of his reign. His visit to Belgium follows a pattern of imperial diplomacy that seeks to strengthen Japan's soft power in Europe, particularly as the EU and Japan deepen their strategic partnership under the 2018 Economic Partnership Agreement.
The timing is also significant. With the EU facing geopolitical challenges from Russia and China, Japan has emerged as a like-minded partner on issues ranging from maritime security to supply chain resilience. The visit underscores a convergence of interests that goes beyond ceremonial niceties.
Belgium, as the de facto capital of the EU, offers a platform for the imperial couple to engage with European institutions. A meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to touch on climate cooperation and digital transformation, two areas where Japan and the EU have aligned policies.
The visit also carries personal resonance. Emperor Naruhito studied at Oxford and has a deep appreciation for European culture. Empress Masako, a former diplomat, is fluent in several European languages. Their presence in Brussels is as much about people-to-people ties as it is about statecraft.
Local Japanese residents have turned out in small numbers to greet the imperial couple, waving flags near the Royal Palace. The visit is a reminder of the quiet but enduring bonds between two nations that, despite geographical distance, have maintained a steady dialogue for over a century and a half.
