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LEAD: Emperor, empress to visit Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand in June+(Japan Economic Newswire Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)TOKYO, Jan. 27_(Kyodo) _ (EDS: ADDING KOIZUMI'S COMMENTS AT 4TH GRAF) Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will make a weeklong visit to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand in June, the government said Friday. The imperial couple's visit to Thailand and Malaysia is their second since the emperor ascended to the throne in 1989. They last visited the two countries in 1991. Meanwhile, it is their first visit to Singapore, which marks the 40th anniversary of its national foundation and normalization of diplomatic relations with Japan this year. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said in a statement that he is convinced the visit will further strengthen Japan's friendly relations with these countries. According to the Imperial Household Agency, the emperor and empress will leave Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 8 for Singapore, where they will attend a banquet to be hosted by Singaporean President S.R. Nathan on June 9. On June 10, the couple will proceed to Malaysia, where they will visit the northern Malaysia state of Perak, the only one that possesses a royal house descended directly from the rulers of legendary Malacca, by way of the state capital of Ipoh. The couple will then fly into Bangkok via Kuala Lumpur on June 11. In the Thai capital, they will participate in events marking the 60th anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's reign, along with kings from Middle Eastern and European countries, on June 12-13, before returning to Japan on June 14, the agency said. |