KUALA LUMPUR: Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito gave an audience to a group of Malaysians with Japanese ancestry yesterday.
The 30-minute gathering, at a leading hotel here, saw the Prince interacting with at least four Malaysian families of Japanese descent, namely the Mori, Kawauchi, Amafuji and Yusof clans.
AmBank Group chairman, Tan Sri Azman Hashim, whose grandmother, Tamano Murakami came to this country in the late 1890s, said it was a great honour for him to be among those accorded an audience with Prince Naruhito.
"It's a huge privilege for us to be able to meet with and shake the Crown Prince's hand," said Azman, who represented the Yusof family.
Azman, who is the Malaysia-Japan Economic Association president, said he feels a strong connection with his Japanese ancestors, and hopes that relations between the two countries will be further strengthened, especially in the economic sector.
Earlier, Prince Naruhito visited the National Museum and graced the 14th Japanese Speech Contest at the Japan Club of Kuala Lumpur.
His five-day visit to the country is the highlight of commemorations of the 60th anniversary of Malaysia-Japan bilateral relations. -- BERNAMA