YOGYAKARTA (Indonesia): Japanese Emperor Naruhito visited the Special Region of Yogyakarta in Indonesia on Wednesday.

The Emperor flew from Jakarta, the capital of the Southeast Asian country, on a Japanese government plane.

Empress Masako stayed in Jakarta as planned. The Imperial couple are visiting Indonesia as state guests from Saturday.

After arriving at Yogyakarta International Airport early Wednesday afternoon local time, the Emperor inspected a sand erosion control office established in Yogyakarta with technical support from Japan.

The know-how accumulated at the office has been shared with neighboring countries, Indonesian Minister of Public Works and Housing Basuki Hadimuljono told the Emperor.

The Emperor expressed his gratitude for Indonesia’s efforts to spread the Japanese sand erosion control method to other countries.

Later on Wednesday, he met with Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, also governor of Yogyakarta, and his wife at their palace and inspected treasures of the sultan family. The Emperor also watched traditional Indonesian dance performances and a wayang kulit Indonesian puppet-shadow show.

He attended a banquet hosted by the sultan.

In 1991, then Emperor Akihito and then Empress Michiko, the parents of the current Emperor, met Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X when they visited Indonesia.

Emperor Naruhito is scheduled to visit Borobudur Temple, a World Heritage site, on Thursday before returning to Jakarta.

JIJI Press