Overview

• On July 9, Naruhito and Masako laid wreaths at Ulaanbaatar’s cenotaph commemorating around 2,000 Japanese prisoners of war who died in Mongolian internment camps.
• The couple attended a state banquet hosted by President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh at the Government Palace, featuring traditional Mongolian hospitality.
• They are set to attend the opening ceremony of Naadam, Mongolia’s festival of wrestling, horse racing and archery, before concluding their state visit on July 13.
• Observers say the visit demonstrates Mongolia’s third neighbor policy of balancing ties with Russia and China by strengthening partnerships with democracies.
• Japan has financed major infrastructure projects and expanded defense cooperation in Mongolia as part of broader efforts to bolster bilateral democratic alliances.