Their Imperial Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan, visited India from 30 November to 5 December 2013. This historic occasion marked the first-ever State Visit by the reigning Emperor and Empress of Japan to independent India. Earlier, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko had visited India in 1960 as the then Crown Prince and Crown Princess.

Strengthening India–Japan Relations

India and Japan share a long-standing partnership that has grown remarkably over time. Bilateral ties now span political, economic, security, developmental, scientific, and cultural fields. The visit of Their Imperial Majesties further reinforced this deep and multifaceted relationship, contributing significantly to strengthening cooperation between the two nations.

Qutub Minar (India)

The Qutub Minar, built in red and buff sandstone, is the tallest stone tower in India, standing at 72.5 metres. Its base measures 14.32 metres in diameter, tapering to 2.75 metres at the top.

• Construction was initiated by Qutbu’d-Din Aibak in AD 1199, who built the first storey for the muezzin to call for prayers.
• The remaining three storeys were added by his successor and son-in-law, Shamsud-Din Iltutmish.
• Each storey features a projected balcony supported by intricately carved stone brackets, showcasing beautiful honeycomb designs.
• Inscriptions in Arabic and Nagari scripts appear throughout the minar, revealing significant aspects of its history.

Tokyo Tower (Japan)

The Tokyo Tower, located in Minato, Tokyo, is an Eiffel Tower-inspired communications and observation tower. Painted in white and international orange to meet air safety norms, it stands at 333 metres, making it the second-tallest artificial structure in Japan.

• Completed in 1958, it symbolizes Japan’s post-war resurgence as a major economic power.
• The tower functions as a radio and television broadcasting antenna and is also a major tourist attraction.
• It houses two observatories:
  • Main Observatory at 150 metres
  • Special Observatory at 250 metres
• Tokyo Tower frequently features special lighting themes, including a illuminated display of the new year number at midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Commemorative Postage Stamp

To mark the historic visit of the Emperor and Empress of Japan to India, the Department of Posts issued a commemorative postage stamp celebrating this momentous event and the deepening friendship between India and Japan.