Reunion with an Empress
For the first time since 1957, the Canadian who played a key role in the courtship of Japan's royal couple will soon have the chance to meet them again
Artist and musician San Murata holds a photograph of himself and the Emporer of Japan at his home in Port Hope, Ont., on June 23, 2009. The emperor and empress arrive in Toronto next week and Mr. Murata will see her again.Kevin Van Paassen
Then Japan's Crown Prince, Akihito visited the Stanley Park Memorial in Vancouver in 1953.Ray Halin
Akihito, shown after a recent visit to his father's tomb at the Musashino Imperial Mausoleum in Tokyo, became emperor of Japan on Nov. 12, 1990.Toru Yamanaka/Reuters
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko board a plane as they depart for their European tour at the Tokyo International Airport on May 21, 2007.YOSHIKAZU TSUNO
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at Uppsala Cathedral for a memorial service for Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus. The couple have been married for 50 years.FREDRIK SANDBERG
San Murata is photographed at his home in Port Hope, Ont., on June 23, 2009. Murata will see be reunited for a visit with Japanese Empress Michiko next week when she visits Toronto with the Emperor.Kevin Van Paassen