Visit to Belgium

Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress have visited the Kingdom of Belgium.

Japan’s Imperial Family and the Belgian Royal Family have enjoyed friendly relations for many years, and this visit surely furthered that friendship.

It must have been some 20 years ago now.

Princess Alix de Ligne of the Belgian Royal Family was studying abroad at Waseda University.

Her stay was about six months, and during that time she kindly visited Yahata Sushi about once a week.

Each time, she came with friends or people who seemed to be from the embassy, and enjoyed her sushi with great relish.

On one occasion, she brought a photo book of her own castle and showed it to us.

At the far end of a vast, beautiful, symmetrical garden stood a castle with wings spread wide. Pointing to a small room on what I believe was the third or fourth floor, she told us, “This is my room.”

It was such an enormous castle that I had never before seen a residence of that scale.

Before returning home, a Nippon Television program called Imperial Family Diary decided to feature her. When they asked the Princess where she would like to be filmed, she said, “Definitely Yahata Sushi!” So the filming took place as she dined at our counter.

It truly was an honor beyond anything we deserved.

I hear that the Princess herself married a member of a former French comital family some years ago.

I am sure that the Princess, too, has served as a bridge between Japan and Belgium.

May the two countries continue to enjoy close relations.