Komorowski meets Japan's imperial couple
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
26.02.2015 14:39
President Bronisław Komorowski and First Lady Anna Komorowska had an audience with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko on Thursday in Tokyo as part of an official visit to Japan.
From left: President Bronisław Komorowski, translator, Emperor Akihito of Japan, First Lady Anna Komorowska, translator, Empress Michiko of Japan. Photo: PAP/Jacek Turczyk
Although Poland's head of state is due to talk with Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe about strategic relations between the two countries, Komorowski said that conversation with the imperial couple was chiefly on cultural matters.
"It's pleasant to be able to say that in spite of the vast geographical distance that separates Poland and Japan, there are many common elements, including in the cultural sphere," Komorowski said.
The Polish president added that the talks with the imperial couple revealed the latter's "genuine engagement with the proliferation of Polish culture in Japan."
Composers such as 19th century luminary Fryderyk Chopin enjoy immense popularity in Japan, while film director Andrzej Wajda was a recipient of the prestigious Kyoto Prize.
Asked about his general impressions of the meeting, Komorowski said that ''as in Japanese architecture and design, a visit to the imperial couple follows the convention of simplicity, with a lack of glamour and exaggeration.''
"Everything is naturally elegant," he added.
Komorowski's trip marks the first visit by a Polish head of state to Japan in seven years, following on from President Lech Kaczyński's stay in 2008. The two-day visit ends on Friday. (nh)
Source: PAP