JAKARTA: Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited Darma Persada University in eastern Jakarta on Tuesday to interact with students learning Japanese.

Meeting with 10 students of the university’s department of Japanese language, the Imperial couple expressed their happiness about the students’ interest in studying Japanese.

In the meeting, a fourth-year student explained the origin of a unique Japanese idiom. The Emperor was impressed, saying that the topic is interesting.

The Empress spoke to another fourth-year student slated to study at Hiroshima University in western Japan. “I hope you will have fulfilling days there,” she said.

One of the students practices kendo, a Japanese martial art that uses bamboo swords. The Emperor told the third-year student: “I used to practice it when I was in elementary school. It hurts.”

When another third-year student said he likes the Japanese anime series “Naruto,” the Emperor replied, “I’m Naruhito,” creating laughter.

Those who established the university included people who studied in Japan. Emperor Emeritus Akihito, the father of the current Emperor, together with Empress Emerita Michiko, visited the university in 1991 when they were emperor and empress.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are on a weeklong visit to Indonesia as state guests through Friday.

JIJI Press