Receiving State Guests

State Guests (Kokuhin) are foreign Heads of State or equivalent who are officially invited and received by the Japanese Government with the utmost courtesy. The foreign Heads of State who will be invited and received by the Imperial Family are determined by a Cabinet Meeting. The reception of State Visits by the Imperial Family includes a welcoming ceremony attended by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, State Call with Their Majesties, State Banquet at the Imperial Palace and farewell calls by Their Majesties. Their Majesties, together with other members of the Imperial Family, wholeheartedly receive these State Guests.