Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress arrived in Belgium for the purpose of international goodwill. At the airport in the capital Brussels, they received a warm welcome from members of the Belgian royal family. During their stay, in addition to attending a banquet hosted by the King and Queen, they are scheduled to visit local research facilities and art museums. This visit is being met with great expectations from both nations as something that will further deepen the friendship between Japan and Belgium. This will be the first visit to Belgium by Their Majesties since the Emperor's enthronement.
Vするほか= in addition to doing ~; besides doing ~〜ものとして= as something that ~; regarded as ~〜が寄せられている= ~ is being directed toward; ~ is being placed on (directional passive)〜で初めてとなります= will be the first time since ~
Learning Notes
Grammar Patterns
Pattern
Meaning
Vするほか
in addition to doing ~; besides doing ~
〜ものとして
as something that ~; regarded as ~
〜が寄せられている
~ is being directed toward; ~ is being placed on (directional passive)
〜で初めてとなります
will be the first time since ~
Vocabulary
Word
Reading
Level
Meaning
友好
ゆうこう
N2
friendship; amity; friendly relations
国際親善
こくさいしんぜん
N1
international goodwill; international friendship
王室
おうしつ
N1
royal family
晩餐会
ばんさんかい
N1
banquet; formal dinner
即位
そくい
N1
enthronement; accession to the throne
Language Insights
•The article uses 敬語 (keigo), specifically 尊敬語 (sonkeigo), throughout — verbs are in the 〜される form (e.g., 到着されました, 受けられました) to express deep respect for the Emperor and Empress. This is standard in Japanese news coverage of the imperial family.
•両陛下 (りょうへいか) is the formal title for 'both Their Majesties' — used specifically for the Emperor and Empress together. 陛下 alone refers to a single sovereign.
•国際親善 (international goodwill) is a fixed diplomatic phrase commonly cited as the official purpose of state visits, equivalent to 'goodwill tour' in English diplomatic language.
•晩餐会 (banquet) differs from an ordinary 夕食 (dinner) or 食事会 (dinner gathering) — it specifically denotes a formal state or ceremonial dinner, typically used in diplomatic and imperial contexts.