Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko greet dignitaries at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, 15th July . Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited Punchbowl Cemetery to lay a wreath and pause for moment of silence. The imperial couple's visit to the cemetery is the first since 1994. (Photos by Lance Cpl. Achilles Tsantarliotis)
This week Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan visited Haiwai’i. In the centre of their stay on a return flight from the Dominion of Canada was laying a ceremonial wreath to honour those who died in World War II.
Governor Linda Lingle and Navy Adm. Timothy Keating, commander, US Pacific Command, greeted the Imperial Couple as a 21-gun salute announced their arrival.
“They represent ... the oldest monarchy in the world. And that makes it special," said Gene Castagnetti, National Cemetery Director.
It has been 15 years since Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited the national shrine.
In the air, a US plane and one representing Japan flew over, symbolizing the diplomatic bridge, Their Majesties’ hope to preserve between the two nations, with their intentions made known as they etched their signatures in the official guestbook of the final resting place where history has brought Japan and the USA together.
Emperor Akihito of Japan and Retired Marine Col. Gene Castagnetti share a moment of silence at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl), 15th July.(Photo by Sgt. Juan D. Alfonso) 
Emperor Akihito of Japan at a wreath laying ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl), 15th July. During their stay, the imperial couple paid tribute to fallen service members. Their July 14 arrival marks their first visit in more than 50 years. Nale is the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, career retention specialist. (Photo by Sgt. Juan D. Alfonso)
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan bow their heads for a moment of silence at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, 15th July. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Achilles Tsantarliotis)
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An often forgotten fact; when Flight Commander Fuchida who led the first wave of the attack on Pearl Harbor reported to the High Command in Tokyo he wrote that the primary concern of Emperor Hirohito was the welfare of civilians. Strict orders had been givin that civilian areas were off-limits and they were to go after military targets only. This was the first thing the Emperor asked about when it was over.
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