Revealed: How Japan’s new emperor had his first overseas trip in Australia – and even lived with a local family in a ‘very ordinary beach shack’
- In 1974 the new emperor was sent to Australia for his first overseas holiday
- He stayed with a family known as the Harpers at the Melbourne holiday home
- They rode around on old bikes and ran from the media so they could play golf
The new emperor of Japan Crown Prince Naruhito will ascend to the throne today almost 50 years after he lived the life of an everyday Aussie kid.
In 1974 Naruhito’s father, Akihito, decided to send his son to Australia for his first overseas trip during which he had the chance to stay with a local family in Melbourne for five days.
The emperor was 14-year-old when he stayed with a host family, the Harpers, in their holiday at Point Lonsdale.
In 1974 Naruhito’s father, Akihito decided to send his son to Australia for his first overseas trip in which he had the chance to stay with a local family in Melbourne, known only as the Harper, for five days
During his stay Naruhito (centre), Alex Harper and his friend Thomas Harley played on the beach and rode around on old bicycles
Alex Harper, who was also 14 at the time and is now a doctor, said he remembers it as a positive experience describing him as ‘a very polite, very enthusiastic 14-year-old’.
‘He came out and stayed with us in a very ordinary beach shack. I think he enjoyed it,’ Dr Harper said.
During his stay the prince, Dr Harper and his friend Thomas Harley played on the beach and rode around on old bicycles.
The family and the prince had a good time together with Alex Harper describing him as ‘a very polite, very enthusiastic 14-year-old’
The young boy also enjoyed playing tennis, on one occasion playing a game of doubles with Adam, Alex Harper and Thomas Harley in front of a large amount of media.
Although he was given some freedom while on his stay he was closely watched by the Federal and Victorian Police, as well as the media who were fascinated by the boy.
He was not quite left alone by the palace as he was brought an itinerary and new clothes daily by his secretary along with his own body guard and valet.
On one occasion the boys were able to sneak away from everyone and were able to play some golf, a game that was then considered a ‘bourgeois American pastime’.
During his time in Australia the Naruhito (right) also travelled to Canberra to met with the Governor-General at the time Sir John Kerr (left)
Dr Harper said at the time Naruhito fear his grandfather Emperor Hirohito would discover their activities.
Thomas Harley, that went on to be a director at BHP, said ‘He was a delightful, smart young man. Well, when I met him he was a boy.’
During his time in Australia Naruhito also travelled to Canberra to met with the Governor-General at the time Sir John Kerr.
The young emperor also enjoyed playing tennis, on one occasion playing a game of doubles with Adam, Alex Harper and Thomas Harley in front of a large amount of media