Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko arrived in Malaysia today on the second leg of a three-nation tour of Southeast Asia.

The royal couple arrived in the northern Perak state capital Ipoh from neighbouring Singapore and were greeted by Crown Prince Raja Nazrin Shah. The visit is their second to Malaysia since the emperor took the throne in 1989.

During their brief visit, Akihito and Michiko will attend a royal luncheon and visit the Sultan Azlan Shah Gallery and the Malay College Kuala Kangsar before returning to the capital Kuala Lumpur.

During their visit in 1991, the royal couple were supposed to visit Perak but the trip was cancelled due to thick haze.

Perak used to be a key trading state with a large Japanese business community before World War II.

Meeting Pak Lah

Later Saturday, the couple were due to attend a royal dinner hosted by Malaysia's King Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin.

The couple would meet Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Sunday.

Malaysia and Japan enjoy close ties. The two nations signed a free trade pact in 2005 and Japan is Malaysia's third-largest trading partner and one of the biggest investors here.

The royal couple will move on to Bangkok via Kuala Lumpur tomorrow to participate in events marking the 60th anniversary of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej's reign on Monday and Tuesday.