Emperor Naruhito Recalls The Bogor Botanical Gardens From Emperor Akihito's Story In 1962

Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Mrs. Iriana invited Emperor Hironomiya Naruhito with Empress Masako to see a collection of orchids in Griya Anggrek, Bogor Botanical Gardens (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Deputy for Press, Media and Information Bureau of the Indonesian Presidential Secretariat Bey Machmudin said the Japanese Emperor Hironomiya Naruhito was interested in the Bogor Botanical Gardens because he remembered a story from his parents.

Bey said that Emperor Naruhito as a child listened to stories directly from his parents, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, who at that time accompanied President Soekarno on a walk in the Bogor Botanical Gardens in 1962.

"Mr President received information that Emperor Naruhito was interested in the Bogor Botanical Gardens because little Naruhito listened to stories directly from his parents when President Soekarno took him for a walk in 1962," Bey said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, 19 June.

Hearing this story, President Jokowi invited Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako to visit Griya Anggrek in the Bogor Botanical Gardens.

Unlike the state visits of other state leaders which were only focused on the Bogor Presidential Palace, President Jokowi and Mrs. Iriana specifically invited Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako to see the orchid collection.

President Jokowi was seen driving a bogie car from the Bogor Palace to Griya Anggrek, Bogor Botanical Gardens, which was boarded by Ibu Iriana, Emperor Naruhito. and Empress Masako.

"So planting trees, going to the Botanical Gardens, and a 'joint press statement' were part of today's events which were attended by Mr President Jokowi and Mrs Iriana with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako," Bey said.

The Emperor's visit coincides with the 65th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Indonesia and Japan and the 50th Anniversary of the Cooperation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan.

Emperor Naruhito's visit also follows in the footsteps of his father and grandfather in building good relations with Indonesia.

The father, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited Indonesia in 1991 and were received by President Soeharto along with Mrs. Tien Soeharto.

Meanwhile, his grandfather, Emperor Hirohito visited Indonesia in 1962 and was received by President Soekarno.