Swedish visit for Japan's royals

The royal couple last visited Sweden in 2000

Japan's Emperor Akihito has arrived in Sweden to join in festivities marking 300 years since the birth of one of the Nordic state's most famous scientists.

The emperor, accompanied by Empress Michiko, will take part in celebrations for Carl Linnaeus - who invented the current system of naming organisms.

The emperor is a marine biologist and a member of a UK-based Linnaeus society.

As part of a 10-day tour, the royals will also visit Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia before arriving in the UK.

The emperor, who has been an honorary member of the Linnean Society of London since 1986, will also take part in Linnaeus-related events in England.

'Friendly ties'

Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria and Culture Minister Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth met the Japanese couple after they touched down in Stockholm.

The 73-year-old emperor and his 72-year-old wife begin their official tour on Tuesday, when they will meet King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia.

"I hope this visit serves to enhance the mutual understanding and friendly ties," the emperor said before setting off from Tokyo.

Linnaeus festivities begin on Wednesday in Uppsala, 70km (45 miles) north of Stockholm.

The Japanese royals will attend a memorial service at Uppsala Cathedral, followed by a banquet at the town's castle.

In 1753, Linnaeus, who studied in Uppsala, established the standard form for cataloguing organisms using Latin names.