Скачать или смотреть UK: JAPANESE EMPEROR AKIHITO & EMPRESS MICHIKO VISIT: 3RD DAY

(29 May 1998) Natural Sound

The third day of the Japanese emperor's visit to Britain was again dogged by protests staged by survivors of Japanese labour camps.

A small number of prisoners-of-war made their protests as Emperor Akihito and his wife hosted a "return banquet" for the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh in London on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, demonstrators had stood outside 10, Downing Street as the Japanese monarch met Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Throughout his state visit, the Emperor has been dogged by former prisoners of war and internees, who are demanding compensation and a full apology for their treatment in labour camps at the hands of the Japanese during the war.

It was no different as Emperor Akihito and his wife arrived at the Victoria and Albert museum in London where they were to host a "return" banquet for Queen Elizabeth.

But inside, the usual pomp and pageantry reigned.

The purpose of the evening was to demonstrate again the modern ties between Britain and Japan which the state visit intended to underline.

The Emperor wore the Order of the Garter with which he was presented by the Queen on Tuesday, to the anger of former PoWs.

The Queen, dressed in white, wore her Order of the Chrysanthemum, Japan's highest decoration.

The banquet, held in return for Tuesday's banquet held by the Queen in Buckingham Palace, took place in the museum's Raphael Gallery.

Earlier in the day, the emperor had a trouble-free visit to the Royal Society where he was the guest of the Queen's husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, who is a fellow of the society.

Akihito was presented with the King Charles the Second medal at a special ceremony.

The ceremony came hours after the emperor and his wife visited 10, Downing Street, residence of Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie.

As they arrived, Akihito and Empress Michiko showed no obvious reaction as scores of veterans gathered outside again turned their back on the couple.

The Blairs extended a warmer welcome.

They posed with the royal couple for photographs on the doorstep of their residence.

Inside Number 10, the emperor and his wife attended a luncheon in their honour.

Taking note of the protests, Blair told the emperor that for some, the scars of the war would not be healed.

But he also added that he looked forward in a spirit of reconciliation, to recognising a new and modern Japan.

The prime minister is keen that the strong economic and political relationship between the two countries should not be damaged.

For his part, Akihito has spoken during the visit of his sorrow for the veterans' suffering - his aides have made it clear that constitutionally the emperor cannot make a formal apology.

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