VISIT OF JAPANESE CROWN PRINCE NARUHITO

UNCLAS ULAANBAATAR 000433 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/CM AND EAP/J E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL EAID SOCI EMIN EINV MG JP SUBJECT: VISIT OF JAPANESE CROWN PRINCE NARUHITO SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION. ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Crown Prince of Japan Naruhito paid his first-ever visit to Mongolia July 10 to 17 to celebrate the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relationships between the two countries. Although purely ceremonial, the visit was a very important, corner-turning moment in the context of Japanese-Mongolian bilateral relations, according to Japanese DCM Kobayashi, a view also held by senior Mongolian officials. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) At a press conference during his visit, the Crown Prince expressed his happiness at having made the trip. He spoke of the deep historical and ethnic ties shared by Mongolia and Japan and the strengthening of friendly relationships between the countries through trade, sumo wrestling, Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers and the Mongolia-Japan Center. Because he had undergone surgery only a month prior, the Prince also hastened to assure the press that he would be careful of his health. DCM Kobayashi noted the eight-day duration of the Prince's visit was atypical, being roughly twice the usual duration of a similar visit elsewhere, surprising even the Imperial Household Staff. ¶3. (SBU) During his visit, the Crown Prince attended a banquet held in his honor at President Enkhbayar's residence, was the guest of honor at Naadam (Mongolia's combination national day and mini-olympics),participated in a dig for fossils, and visited a memorial for Japanese World War II prisoners. He also surprised the audience at a National Symphonic Orchestra concert in Ulaanbaatar by appearing on stage to accompany the orchestra on the viola. According to Kobayashi, the Crown Prince and President Enkhbayar formed a deep friendship, and Enkhbayar devoted significant personal attention and time to the Crown Prince's visit. ¶4. (U) As noted prior to the visit, the Crown Prince's wife, Princess Masako, did not accompany the Crown Prince to Mongolia, as she is still recovering from stress-induced depression that has kept her from fulfilling most of her official duties for several years. The announcement that Masako would not accompany the Crown Prince drew attention from both Japanese and international press. ¶5. (SBU) According to Kobayashi, the Crown Prince, at a reception at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs upon his return to Tokyo, spoke in glowing terms of his visit, and said he was charmed and impressed at the welcome he had received. He expressed his desire to make a return trip to Mongolia in the near future. Kobayashi noted the visit received considerable media coverage both in Japan and in Mongolia, further elevating the relationship and expanding contacts of all sorts, official, commercial, social, cultural, etc. He expects a modest surge in Japanese tourists as well as businessmen. MINTON