What a scene: on April 2, 2026, at exactly noon, the presidential car stopped under a light drizzle in front of the imperial palace in Tokyo, where Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako welcomed Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron for an official visit. The handshake, the president’s kiss on the hand, and the cherry trees still in bloom marked the opening of this protocol meeting.
In brief: reception at the imperial palace, an imperial lunch with traditional codes, discussions on popular culture (manga mentioned by the emperor), and signing agreements on international cooperation in defense, space, and energy.
Protocol Meeting at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo
The arrival sequence lasted less than three minutes in front of the porch where Naruhito and Masako waited, smiles and handshakes. The official photos later published by Kunaichō confirmed the intimate and codified nature of the audience. The president’s kiss on the hand gesture was widely covered by the press, which detailed the visit on April 2, particularly in the gallery of images provided by Le Figaro.
An Imperial Lunch and Cultural References
The imperial lunch, adhering to the tradition of washoku, concluded the visit. Emperor Naruhito surprised everyone by asking which mangas were popular in France; the president mentioned One Piece and Dragon Ball Z, an anecdote reported by the media including coverage by NHK. Brigitte Macron, already seen on April 1 at Harumi High School for a koto and calligraphy workshop, reinforced the cultural aspect of the visit.
Diplomatic Issues and International Cooperation
Beyond the ceremonial aspects, the visit served to solidify agreements regarding security and international cooperation, particularly in space and nuclear matters, signed in the presence of foreign ministers, defense, and economy ministers. The discussions were framed by the regional and global context, and the media image—including the famous imitation of the “kamehameha” by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi—mixed diplomatic seriousness with popular moments, as reported by Sud Ouest.
To further explore this visit and better understand the ties between the presidential family and Japan, please visit the dedicated file on sebastien-auziere.fr, as well as the account of the Nippo-Korean tour available here, to learn more about Sébastien Auzière and the Macron family.
