In brief: Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron will undertake an official visit to Japan from March 31 to April 2, 2026, then to South Korea on April 2 and 3. In Japan, the French president will meet with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and will be received in audience by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako. This trip was announced simultaneously by Tokyo and Seoul on Friday, March 13, 2026.
Nearly 10,000 kilometers from Paris, Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron are preparing to experience a new major diplomatic sequence. This Asian tour at the end of March — the first state visit by France to Japan in several years — combines geopolitical stakes, bilateral cooperation, and imperial protocol. A look back at this highly anticipated trip.
The last audience granted by the Japanese imperial couple to the French presidential couple dates back to June 2019, in Tokyo, on the sidelines of the Osaka G20.
A two-part program: Japan then South Korea
The Asian tour of Emmanuel Macron takes place in two distinct phases, announced simultaneously by the concerned capitals on March 13, 2026.
| Dates | Country | Main appointments |
|---|---|---|
| March 31 – April 2, 2026 | 🇯🇵 Japan | Meeting with PM Sanae Takaichi, imperial audience with Naruhito and Masako, working dinner |
| April 2 – 3, 2026 | 🇰🇷 South Korea | Meetings with South Korean institutional partners |
In Japan: Sanae Takaichi and a working dinner
In Tokyo, Emmanuel Macron is expected by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. According to the spokesperson for the Japanese government, Minoru Kihara, the two leaders will discuss before a working dinner. The stated goal: “to further deepen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.”
This meeting occurs in a charged geopolitical context, where Indo-Pacific partnerships are increasingly important for France, a maritime power present in the region through its overseas territories.
The imperial audience: Naruhito and Masako receive the Macrons
The key ceremonial moment of this Japanese stay will be the audience granted by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako to the French presidential couple. These imperial audiences — rare and highly codified — traditionally constitute one of the most symbolic moments of a state visit to Japan. They signify the importance that Tokyo attaches to its relations with the visiting country.
Naruhito ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1, 2019, succeeding his father Akihito. His wife Masako, a former diplomat by training, is particularly appreciated in international circles for her mastery of languages and her sensitivity to global issues.
Brigitte Macron in Japan: a daunting trip
This trip also represents a personal challenge for the First Lady. Brigitte Macron suffers from aerodromophobia — an intense fear of flying. A Paris-Tokyo flight exceeds 11 hours, making it one of the most strenuous journeys for her. According to journalist François-Xavier Bourmaud in his book The Behind-the-Scenes of a Victory, an advisor described the situation as follows:
“She accompanies him on nearly all his campaign trips. It is only abroad that she is rarely seen. Traveling next to her in the air is a guarantee of arriving with a crushed hand.”
Despite this apprehension, Brigitte Macron regularly accompanies the president on the most symbolic state visits, as was the case in 2019 in Japan.
Why this trip is strategic for France
Beyond the protocol, this Asian tour responds to several geopolitical and economic objectives:
- Strengthen the Franco-Japanese partnership in the fields of defense, civil nuclear energy, and advanced technologies.
- Consolidate France’s presence in the Indo-Pacific, a region of increasing tensions between major powers.
- Diversify European alliances in the face of 2026 global geopolitical uncertainties.
- Reinforce ties with Seoul, an increasingly active strategic partner on the international stage.
FAQ — Macron’s visit to Japan and South Korea 2026
- When does Emmanuel Macron go to Japan?
- From March 31 to April 2, 2026. He will subsequently go to South Korea on April 2 and 3, 2026.
- Who are the personalities met in Japan?
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for a meeting and working dinner, as well as Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako for an official audience.
- Does Brigitte Macron accompany her husband to Japan?
- Yes. Despite her aerodromophobia (fear of flying), Brigitte Macron is announced for the trip, as she did during the previous visit to Japan in 2019.
- What was Macron’s last official visit to Japan?
- June 2019, on the sidelines of the Osaka G20. The presidential couple was then received in audience by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
- Who is Sanae Takaichi?
- Sanae Takaichi is the Prime Minister of Japan. A politician from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), she is the first woman to hold this position in Japan’s history.
- Why is this trip diplomatically important?
- It aims to strengthen the Franco-Japanese strategic partnership in defense, energy, and technology, as well as France’s presence in the Indo-Pacific.
