Japan's imperial couple start first visit to India

Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko on Saturday left for India for a week-long visit, marking the first to the country by Japanese emperor and empress.

The visit under the Indian government invitation is to commemorate the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.

They are expected to meet with Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in an effort to promote bilateral relationship.

The imperial couple visited the South Asian country in 1960 as crown prince and crown princess.