La Paz  - Prince Masahito Hitachi, younger brother to the Japanese emperor, was to visit Bolivia Monday to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the Japanese migration to the South American country, the Bolivian government announced Sunday.

The prince's wife, Princess Hanako, will be travelling with him from Peru, where they have been visiting.

The royal couple will travel to Santa Cruz, east of the Bolivian capital, where they will stay for five days. They will also meet with Bolivian President Evo Morales on Tuesday at a special reception.

Hitachi plans to visit the communities of Okinawa and San Juan de Yapacani, which were colonised by Japanese immigrants. He will meet the governor of Santa Cruz, Ruben Coasts, a staunch rival of Morales, on Wednesday.

A formal commemorative ceremony for the anniversary of Japanese immigration to Bolivia will be held on Thursday. (dpa)