The government of Japan welcomed the visit of Their Majesties King Abdullah II and Queen Rania Al Abdullah to Japan, which is scheduled to start on Sunday.

The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press statement distributed by the Japanese embassy in Amman early Sunday, "We hopes the visit will further strengthen the friendly relations between Japan and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan."

The statement noted that during their stay in Japan, the Emperor and Empress of Japan will invite Their Majesties the King and Queen to a luncheon, adding that His Majesty King Abdullah will hold talks with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.