"The East Asian Next Door in the Dormitory Was Surprising as Japanese Royalty, but Now Is the Emperor"

The Story of an American Lawyer Becoming Friends with the Emperor
Roommates During Oxford University Studies

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were on a state visit to the United Kingdom on the 25th (local time), during which BBC highlighted stories from the Emperor's 'study abroad days in the UK.'

On the 26th, BBC Japan interviewed George Keith, a graduate of the prestigious University of Oxford in the UK who is now working as a lawyer. Keith has a connection with Emperor Naruhito from 1983 when they were 'roommates' living in the Oxford dormitory as young men in their twenties.

During his study abroad at the prestigious University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, Emperor Naruhito [Image source=Getty Images]

They stayed at the Marton College dormitory at Oxford University. At that time, the Emperor lived in the room next to Keith’s. Keith was surprised to learn that the young Asian man living next door was a member of the Japanese royal family, but they soon became "good friends."

Keith, who was from a rural town in the United States and unfamiliar with the etiquette of the Japanese imperial family, quickly grew close to Naruhito. It is said that Naruhito was the one who first approached Keith. From the very first day, he suggested, "Please call me Hiro."

The two often went together to restaurants and pubs around Oxford, accompanied by Naruhito’s bodyguards at the time. Keith jokingly said, "I also became very close with those people (the bodyguards)."

American legal professional George Keith. He became friends with the Emperor of Japan during his studies at Oxford University and continues to maintain their friendship.
[Image source=Robinson&McElwee PLLC]

Even after their studies ended, the bond between the Emperor and Keith continued. It is said that the Emperor personally visited Keith’s law office in West Virginia, USA. Thanks to this connection, Keith’s parents had the honor of being invited to an official dinner in Washington DC attended by former U.S. Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush.

Keith recalled the Emperor as someone who "liked pizza and the scenery around Oxford, and enjoyed pubs and restaurants quite often," adding, "He was a person who smiled a lot and genuinely wanted to experience campus life."

He emphasized, "I knew he was the Emperor, but our friendship was not because of his status; it was a relationship between people. He was not my friend because he was royalty."

Now both men are in their 60s but remain close friends. Keith said, "I hope our daughters will continue the friendship into the next generation," and added, "To me, the Emperor is truly a good friend."