Japan Emperor, Empress to Visit Downpour-Hit Western Areas

Tokyo, Aug. 14 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko plan to visit three western prefectures hit hard by last month's torrential rains in September, Imperial Household Agency officials said Tuesday. The couple plan to visit Hiroshima and Okayama prefectures on Sept. 13 and Ehime Prefecture on Sept. 20, the officials said. A helicopter may be used for the trips. The Emperor and the Empress have expressed grief for the deaths of many people in the rain disaster. They have already received briefings about damage from the governors of the three prefectures. The couple has canceled a planned private trip to Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, and another to the Imperial villa in the town of Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture, eastern Japan. Both trips were scheduled for July. END