Bulgarian PM Simeon Saxe-Coburg (L) enjoyed royal honours on the side of his host Emperor Akihito (R). The Saxe-Coburg family was invited to a tea ceremony by the Emperor, a unique sign of honour, usually bestowed to royal families. Photo by government.bg
Bulgarian Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg and his wife Margarita have been served tea at a unique ceremony traditionally held in honour of royal guests by the Japanese Emperor Akihito and his wife Michiko.
On the second day of the Japan visit, Bulgaria's prime minister, who is also accompanied by his daughter and son-in-law, were received at an emperor audience and donated their hosts with copies of a rhyton with a woman head, bird body and lion arms, and of a deer-styled rhyton from the world-famous Panagyurishte treasure.
The opportunities to invest in Bulgaria were given floor during the Bulgarian-Japanese business forum, with 21 Bulgarian companies represented, which was inaugurated by Simeon Saxe-Coburg.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Lidia Shuleva talked to local businessmen about prospective partnerships between Bulgaria and Japan in sectors such as energy, IT and tourism.