Japan's Princess Aiko, the daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, has attended a luncheon to welcome Kenya's President and First Lady.

Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto and his wife arrived at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Friday. The couple is visiting Japan as official guests.

The Emperor and Empress greeted the Kenyan guests in English.

Princess Aiko also attended a luncheon hosted by the Emperor and Empress.

The Imperial Household Agency says it was her first time to attend a formal event to welcome foreign dignitaries.

The agency says the princess gave them greetings in Swahili, which is widely spoken in Kenya, when she was introduced to the guests by her parents.

During the luncheon, Princess Aiko was seated between President Ruto and a Kenyan cabinet minister, and conversed with them in English almost without the help of an interpreter.

The princess thanked President Ruto when she was invited to visit Kenya.