Governor General of Canada Welcomes the Emperor and Empress of Japan

Itinerary of Their Majesties' program with the Governor General of Canada

Monday, July 6, 2009

(See detailed media schedule below.)

Official Welcoming Ceremony
An official welcoming ceremony, with military honours, will be held 
at Rideau Hall. Their Majesties will arrive by carriage. Following an 
inspection of the guard of honour by His Majesty the Emperor, the 
Governor General will offer remarks, to which His Majesty will reply.
Rideau Hall grounds, 1 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario
OPEN TO MEDIA

Their Excellencies meet with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress 
of Japan
Rideau Hall, 1 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario
POOLED PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

Ceremonial tree planting
Their Majesties will plant a tree on the grounds of Rideau Hall to 
commemorate their State visit to Canada. The tree will be a Canadian 
Hemlock, which was chosen because it grows both in Japan and in 
Canada (Tsuga canadensis).
Rideau Hall grounds, 1 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario
OPEN TO MEDIA

State Dinner
The Governor General and Mr. Lafond will host a State dinner at 
Rideau Hall in honour of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of 
Japan.
Rideau Hall, 1 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario
OPEN TO MEDIA - Media are invited to cover the official photo in the 
Reception Room (Open to all media) and official remarks in the 
Ballroom (POOL ONLY).

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Reception offered by the Ambassador of Japan
The Governor General and Mr. Lafond will attend a reception hosted by 
His Excellency Tsuneo Nishida, Ambassador of Japan, and Mrs. Keiko 
Nishida, in honour of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of 
Japan.
National Gallery of Canada, 380 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
Media should contact the Embassy of Japan directly for access to this 
event.

Additional information:

- The grounds of Rideau Hall will be closed to the public from
  Sunday, July 5, 2009 to Wednesday, July 8, 2009.
- Events at Rideau Hall during the State visit of the Emperor and 
  Empress of Japan are not open to the public.
- All events are subject to change without notice.

Media Accreditation:
Media who wish to cover Their Majesties' visit to Canada, including 
events at Rideau Hall, must obtain accreditation from the 
Parliamentary Press Gallery by contacting Collin Lafrance at 
LafraCo@parl.gc.ca.

Schedule of Events for media planning purposes:

10:30 am -    Welcoming Ceremony: Accredited media should arrive at 
              Princess Gate by 9:45 a.m. to take position in the 
              designated media area at the fountain.

11:00 a.m. -  Meeting with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of 
              Japan:
              Accredited media wishing to cover the beginning of the 
              meeting should arrive by 10:00 a.m. in order to enter 
              the building at the Princess Anne Entrance and pre-
              position for this meeting.

11:30 a.m. -  Tree Planting:
              Accredited media should be in place at the tree 
              planting site by 11:15 a.m.

7:30 p.m. -   Official photo and State Dinner:
              Media should arrive at the Princess Anne entrance by 
              6:45 p.m.

www.ca.emb-japan.go.jp