President Patrick Hillery has left for Japan to attend the funeral of Emperor Hirohito. He was accompanied by his Aide De Camp Colonel Tom Ryan and the chief of protocol at the Department of Foreign Affairs Thelma Doran.

Report shows President Hillery boarding a plan at Dublin Airport.

Politicians and dignitaries seeing off the President at Dublin Airport, including Minister for Labour, Bertie Ahern, Minister for Communications and Commerce, Ray Burke, and Minister for Social Welfare, Michael Woods.

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