Media Release | July 13, 2009
Emperor and Empress of Japan Visit UBC
His Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan spoke with UBC students while touring the Nitobe Memorial Garden today - photo by Martin Dee
The Emperor and Empress of Japan today visited the University of British Columbia as part of their 11-day tour marking the 80th anniversary of Japan-Canada diplomatic relations. This is Emperor Akihito’s first visit to UBC since 1953, when he toured the campus as Crown Prince.
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko were greeted by UBC Chancellor Sarah Morgan-Silvester, Board Chair Brad Bennett and Vice President External, Legal and Community Relations Stephen Owen. Provost and Vice President Academic David Farrar delivered the welcome address at the Asian Centre before a screening of a short film documenting His Majesty’s 1953 visit.
“It is a true honour and privilege to welcome Their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan, on this auspicious occasion,” said Farrar. “UBC is known for its links to Japan, and we are deeply honoured on this occasion of His Majesty’s second visit to our campus.”
The Imperial couple toured UBC’s Nitobe Memorial Garden and met with 20 UBC students. The Nitobe Garden is recognized as the most authentic traditional Japanese tea garden in North America and among the top five outside Japan (see backgrounder). His Majesty visited the garden’s smaller predecessor in 1953.
A visit to the Museum of Anthropology’s Great Hall and a viewing of Bill Reid’s Raven And The First Men sculpture was followed by a luncheon hosted by UBC President Stephen Toope.
Photos of Their Majesties’ visit today, past visits by the Japanese Imperial Family and a video of Emperor Akihito’s 1953 visit as Crown Prince are available at www.publicaffairs.ubc.ca/download.
UBC has a long history and strong academic ties with Japan, including:
- The UBC-Ritsumeikan University Academic Exchange Program
- Tokyo University of Agriculture Exchange Program
- The Centre for Japanese Research
- Japanese Legal Studies Program
- Co-op Japan Program
This year, 328 Japanese students and hundreds more who are Canadian citizens of Japanese heritage studied at UBC. The university also attracts exchange students from and sends exchange students to Waseda, Keio, Osaka, Ritsumeikan, Sophia and Hitosubashi universities.
UBC has hosted other members of the Japanese royalty:
- Prince and Princess Chichibu toured the Nitobe Memorial Garden in 1937.
- Prince Takamado (then Prince Norihit) attended the opening of the Asian Centre in 1981. In 1992, he and Princess Takamado formally opened the Nitobe Memorial Garden. Princess Takamado returned in 2004 to mark the donation of a book collection by the Japan Foundation to the Asian Library.
Their Majesties arrived in British Columbia on July 10. They visited the Richmond Olympic Oval and met with Lt.-Gov. Steven Point and Premier Gordon Campbell prior to their UBC visit. They conclude their Canadian visit and leave for Hawaii on July 14.
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Backgrounder
Video: Crown Prince Akihito visited UBC in 1953
Sites visited by the Emperor
The Emperor and Empress of Japan welcomed by UBC Chancellor Sarah Morgan-Silvester
The Emperor and Empress of Japan welcomed by Stephen Owen, UBC's Vice President External, Legal and Community Relations.
Her Majesty Empress Michiko speaks to UBC students while touring the Nitobe Memorial Garden.
Her Majesty Empress Michiko during a tour of the Nitobe Memorial Garden at UBC.
His Majesty Emperor Akihito speaks to UBC students while touring the Nitobe Memorial Garden.
Their Majesties speak to UBC students while touring the Nitobe Memorial Garden.
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