Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will arrive in national capital New Delhi this evening on a six-day visit to India.
In a departure from existing protocol, they will be received by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
This is the first time that India is hosting two dignitaries from one country on a state visit after fifty years.
During their stay in Delhi, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will meet top Indian leaders, including President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Issues of bilateral importance to both countries are expected to be raised during the visit of the Japanese team.
Japan is India's largest source of aid and plays a key role in supporting infrastructure development, financing projects like Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, and Bangalore Metro Rail Project.