G.V. IMPERIAL PALACE

S.V. SWANS ON LAKE

S.V. TOWARDS PRINCE AKIHITO IN GARDEN

S.V. PRINCE PLAYING WITH DOGS

S.C.U. DITTO

S.V. DITTO PLAYING WITH DOGS AND PLAYING WITH DOGS AND BIRDS
C.U. SWANS

G.V. INT IMPERIAL HOUSEHOLD COUNCIL SITTING

SIDE V. MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
L.V. PAN DITTO

T.V. PRESSMEN AND COUNCIL

C.U. TAKESHI USAMI OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCING ENGAGEMENT

G.V. HOME OF MISS MICHIKO SHODA
S.T.V. PEOPLE IN ROADWAY OUTSIDE HOUSE

S.V. PEOPLE AROUND NEWSPAPER.

C.U. NEWSPAPER WITH PICTURES.

S.V. MISS MICHIKO SHODA DOWN STEPS OF HOUSE AND POSES WITH PARENTS

S.V. PRESSMEN

S.C.U. MISS MICHIKO SHODA POSING WITH HER PARENTS

L.V. DITTO
S.C.U. MISS MICHIKO SHODA POSING

C.U. CHILDREN CHEERING

S.V. PAN CAR LEAVES WITH MISS SHODA AND PARENTS TO VISIT ROYAL PALACE .. PAN TO BACK VIEW THROUGH CROWD

S.T.V. CROWD CHEERING

G.TV. CARS THROUGH CHEERING CROWDS

S.V. CROWD OUTSIDE PALACE

S.V. CARS THROUGH CROWD PAN AROUND TO ENTRANCE TO IMPERIAL PALACE

S.V. MISS SHODA ENTERS PALACE WITH PARENTS

S.V. PHOTOGRAPHERS INSIDE PALACE

C.U. MISS SHODA POSING PRIOR TO MEETING WITH EMPEROR AND EMPRESS
5 ft Initials AW/CW A.S./R.RL.
Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The Japanese Imperial Council formally approved Nov 27 the betrothal of a commoner Miss Michiko Shoda, here seen on film visiting the Royal Palace, to Prince Akihito, heir to the throne of Japan. The bride-to-be is the eldest daughter of the president of a flour mill company.

The match has already been approved by Emperor Horohito.

Miss Shoda, will be the first commoner to marry into the Japanese Imperial Family. The romance is said to have started when the couple met on a tennis court at the fashionable mountain resort of Karuizawa. Both are aged 24.

The marriage may take place next year, but like all couples about to be wed, they are looking for a house. A palace is to be built for them.