Denmark's Queen Margrethe II Tuesday expressed her concern over the victims of Japan's typhoons and earthquakes that hit northwestern Niigata prefecture last month, Imperial Household Agency officials said. The Danish queen is on an eight-day visit to Japan with her husband Prince Henrik and shared her thoughts during talks with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at the Imperial Palace. Emperor Akihito responded by saying that he's also worried about victims of the quakes and typhoons. On October 23, a series of strong earthquakes hit Niigata prefecture killing more than 40 people and forcing nearly 100,000 people to evacuate to public shelters. A total of 10 typhoons have hit Japan this year, shattering the 1990 record of six. More than 170 people have died in this year's typhoon season, according to Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency. During their stay in Japan, Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik will visit northeastern Gunma prefecture with the emperor and empress, and will also make a private trip to the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa. The couple depart Japan on November 22.
