Imperial couple visit earthquake-stricken islanders on Genkai

FUKUOKA, Japan - Emperor Akihito (2nd R) and Empress Michiko (C) speak to local residents during a visit to the earthquake-stricken Genkai island off Fukuoka Prefecture on Oct. 30. The imperial couple traveled to the island, about 18 kilometers off Fukuoka, by boat and about 450 people -- virtually the entire population of the island -- turned up at the quay to welcome the imperial visitors. An earthquake with its epicenter near the island struck on March 20, 2005, damaging 150 houses on the island, and at one point all the islanders were evacuated to the mainland.