The Japanese government says arrangements are underway for Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako to visit Mongolia in early July.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa announced the plan on Friday.

The Imperial Household Agency says Mongolia has repeatedly invited the Imperial couple since they met Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh. He visited Japan in 2022 on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. They have developed a wide-ranging friendship over the years.

This will be the first visit to the country by an emperor and the fourth overseas trip for the couple since the Emperor ascended the throne in 2019.

Sources say the visit would last for about a week, and the Emperor and Empress are likely to attend a national sports festival called Naadam, which features competitions of wrestling, horseracing and others.

The Emperor visited Mongolia in 2007 when he was the crown prince. He paid a visit to a monument for Japanese people who lost their lives during Soviet internment after World War Two.

Sources say there is a plan for the couple to visit the monument, as Japan marks 80 years since the end of the war this year.