Prince Harry smiled as he arrived in Tokyo today and told reporters it was ‘good to see you again’ ahead of a summit about sport, community and philanthropy.
The Duke of Sussex was filmed beaming as he walked through the city’s Haneda Airport among the crowds of passengers, wearing a black shirt and a dark cap bearing the logo of the Archewell Foundation he runs with wife Meghan Markle.
One reporter could be heard off camera asking Harry: ‘How do you like to be in Japan for the first time in four years?’ And he replied: ‘Good to see you again.’
A video broadcast on Japanese TV network ANN News showed Harry arriving at the terminal alongside his long-time friend, Argentinian polo player Nacho Figueras.
The duo will attend Harry’s fundraising Sentebale Polo Cup match in Singapore this Saturday which he has said will help young people affected by HIV/Aids.
The Duke of Sussex smiles as he walks through the terminal at Haneda Airport in Tokyo today
Harry wears a dark cap bearing the logo of the Archewell Foundation he runs with wife Meghan
Omid Scobie, co-author of the controversial Harry and Meghan biography Finding Freedom, tweeted a video of the Duke’s arrival in Japan just after midday UK time.
He added: ‘Lots of fans waiting for Harry in arrivals. The Royal Family have always had a big following in Japan (especially Princess Diana) and interest in the Sussexes continues to be strong. Fun fact: Finding Freedom is one of the few royal books to get a full Japanese release!’
It is not known which flight Harry landed on, but there were several services arriving from Los Angeles in Tokyo this afternoon – including the 5.25pm local time American Airlines flight, a 3.25pm United flight and a 2.20pm American Airlines flight.
The Duke arrived in Japan today ahead of his attendance at the ISPS (International Sports Promotion Society) Sports Values Summit ‘Special Edition’ tomorrow.
Harry will join a panel discussion with former New Zealand rugby player Dan Carter, an ambassador for ISPS Handa which is sponsoring the polo cup,
Also expected to be present are Sentebale chairwoman Sophie Chandauka and Royal Australian Navy Veteran and Invictus Games gold medallist Steve James.
In addition, the event in Tokyo is set to feature Professor Wim de Villiers, the rector and vice-chancellor of South Africa’s Stellenbosch University.
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Harry arrives at Haneda Airport in Tokyo alongside his friend, polo player Nacho Figueras (left)
The Duke arrives in Japan today ahead of his attendance at the ISPS Sports Values Summit
Harry will then stage the Sentebale Polo Cup in Singapore on Saturday, with the money raised used to support the organisation’s clubs and camps programme, which provides psychosocial support to young people living with HIV.
Speaking last month, Harry said: ‘The annual Polo Cup is essential to Sentebale’s vital work ensuring children and young people are healthy, resilient, and able to thrive.
‘The funds raised this year will support our clubs and camps programme, which provides intensive psychosocial support to young people living with HIV.
‘In a time where being HIV positive is no longer a death sentence, we are empowering young people to know their status, stay healthy, and eliminate the stigma so that they can break the cycle.’
Since 2010, the annual polo cup has raised more than £11million to support Sentebale’s work with children and young people affected by poverty, inequality and HIV/Aids in southern Africa.
Harry was last in Japan in 2019 when he attended the Rugby World Cup Final in Yokohama
During the trip to Japan in November 2019, Harry also spoke with wheelchair rugby athletes
The Duke will play on the Royal Salute Sentebale team, against the Singapore Polo Club team captained by the charity’s ambassador Mr Figueras.
Sentebale was founded by Harry and Lesotho’s Prince Seeiso in 2006 to help the most vulnerable children and young people in southern Africa receive support to lead healthy and productive lives.
It first began working in Leosotho before expanding its efforts into Botswana and operates in four key areas: strengthening the social and emotional wellbeing of those living with or affected by HIV; helping to provide access to health and social services; driving youth advocacy and building individuals’ skills and livelihoods.
Harry was last in Japan nearly four years ago in November 2019, attending the Rugby World Cup Final between England and South Africa in Yokohama.
He also spoke with Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino at the match, and met wheelchair rugby players at the Para Arena in Tokyo. He was still a working royal at the time.
