Key Points
Emperor and Empress attended state dinner hosted by King Willem-Alexander in Amsterdam on June 17.
Japan-Netherlands ties span 400 years, starting with Dutch ship arrival in 1600.
Emperor acknowledged WWII suffering, noting 24,000 Dutch military and civilian deaths.
Emperor visited Leiden University and Mauritshuis museum to view Vermeer painting during trip.
Japan’s Emperor and Empress visited the Netherlands as state guests on June 17-18, attending a formal dinner hosted by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima in Amsterdam. The visit reaffirmed 400 years of diplomatic ties between the nations. The Emperor addressed the dinner in English, acknowledging both the long friendship and the painful history of World War II, when Dutch civilians and soldiers suffered under Japanese occupation of Indonesia.
A Dinner Marking Four Centuries of Friendship
The Emperor and Empress attended the state dinner at Amsterdam’s royal palace on June 17. The Emperor wore formal tails while the Empress wore an evening gown and tiara. The Emperor spoke in English about the relationship dating back to 1600, when a Dutch ship first reached Japan. He noted that even during Japan’s period of isolation, a 5-meter bridge at Dejima in Nagasaki connected the two nations for over 200 years. The Emperor highlighted recent exchanges in healthcare, sports, and water management research.
Personal Memories and Royal Connections
The Emperor recalled his first visit to the Netherlands in 1984 while studying in Britain. He attended the King’s wedding in 2002 and coronation in 2013. In 2006, the Emperor, Empress, and their daughter Aiko spent a summer at Het Oude Loo castle as guests of Princess Beatrix. During this visit, they reunited with a black swan and koi fish from that earlier stay. The Emperor told the dinner guests that his daughter Aiko was moved when he shared news of meeting the castle staff again.
Acknowledging Wartime Suffering
The Emperor addressed the difficult period of World War II directly. He stated that many lives were lost and many people were wounded during the war. According to Dutch government records, approximately 40,000 Dutch military personnel became prisoners of war, and about 90,000 Dutch civilians were interned. Of these, roughly 10,000 soldiers and 14,000 civilians died. The Emperor said Japan must humbly learn from history and pass these experiences to future generations. He emphasized that some people still carry the pain of that era and called for continued efforts toward peace.
Royal Visits and Cultural Ties
The Emperor viewed Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring” at the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague during his visit. He had seen the same painting when it was displayed in Japan in 2012. The Emperor also visited Leiden University, founded in 1575, where he toured the “Sweat Room” with graduate signatures on its walls. King Willem-Alexander and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte are both Leiden alumni. The Emperor spoke with professors and students about their research at the university’s botanical garden.
Final Thoughts
The state visit underscores Japan’s commitment to European partnerships and historical reconciliation. The Emperor’s direct acknowledgment of wartime suffering signals Japan’s willingness to address the past while building future cooperation with the Netherlands.
FAQs
Over 400 years, beginning in 1600 when a Dutch ship reached Japan. The nations maintained contact through a 5-meter bridge at Dejima during Japan’s isolation period.
Approximately 40,000 Dutch soldiers became prisoners of war and 90,000 civilians were interned by Japan. Around 24,000 total died during the occupation of Indonesia.
The Emperor and Empress spent a summer at Het Oude Loo castle with their daughter Aiko. During this visit, they reunited with animals and staff from that earlier stay.
Disclaimer:
The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes. Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.
About Author
Danny Kontos
Co FounderDanny Kontos has been a stock investor since 2007 and co-founded Meyka in 2023. He keeps a small, focused portfolio and only moves when the numbers are hard to argue with. He has waited years on a single position before. Before Meyka, he ran a web hosting company and a mortgage lending platform, so he knows what a well-run business actually looks like under the hood. This article did not come from a news cycle. It came from someone who has been watching this space for a long time.
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