The reception consisted of an inspection of the guard of honor and a wreath-laying at the monument. A lunch was also planned this afternoon at the palace.
But most people who wanted to see a glimpse of the emperor were not allowed to be there. Hundreds of Japanese were waiting behind the crush barriers that were placed on all streets leading to the dam.
Rare
Some had come to Amsterdam especially to see the emperor. Why? “Just because it’s an honor,” says a man from the Japanese island of Hokkaido.