Before becoming King, His Majesty visited Japan five times as The Prince of Wales: attending the enthronement ceremonies of Emperor Naruhito in 2019 and Emperor Akihito in 1990, and making three other visits in 2008, 1986, and 1970.
The King was accompanied by The Queen and the then Duchess of Cornwall during the 2008 visit.
In September 2022, the Emperor and Empress of Japan traveled overseas for the first time after the Emperor's enthronement to attend the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The Emperor took part in a reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by The King for Heads of State and Official Overseas Guests on the evening of September 18, 2022, ahead of the State Funeral.
The State Visit to the United Kingdom planned for Spring 2020 by Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan was postponed due to the global coronavirus pandemic.