OSAKA –
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako on Monday visited the World Expo in the city of Osaka for the second time.
At the Future of Life pavilion, which envisions a society 50 years from now, the Imperial couple viewed exhibits featuring androids and robots.
The emperor showed his fascination at an android modeled after Natsume Soseki (1867-1916), saying that the Japanese novelist “continues to live on.”
The emperor and the empress commented that the androids looked very human, according to Japanese roboticist Hiroshi Ishiguro, a professor at the University of Osaka, who guided the couple.
At the U.N. Pavilion, run by the United Nations, the Imperial couple watched a video introducing the world body with solemn expressions.
They also visited the International Organization Pavilion, which features exhibits from five entities, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
The Imperial couple toured Kyoto and Osaka prefectures for three days from Saturday.
AloJapan.com