The Evening Press at York rolled out the red carpet and turned Japanese for a prestige visit to the city by the Ambassador of Japan.

The paper produced a special supplement with a front-page dominated by the word "welcome" and a goodwill message - all written in Japanese.

His Excellency, Masaki Orita, visited the city to launch a programme promoting the understanding of Japanese culture in the North of England.

The Ambassador visited educational, tourism and cultural centres in the city as well as meeting the Sheriff of York, the Archbishop of York and key business leaders.

Before the visit, the Evening Press got in touch with local companies and organisations with Japanese connections and put together the supplement with advertisements celebrating links between Japan and York.

A framed copy of the front page was presented by Evening Press publisher Liz Page at a civic reception at the city's Mansion House, hosted by the Sheriff of York.

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