JAPAN-U.S. FIRST-AID MISSION

Japan's royal couple landed in Atlanta today to begin a 16-day tour of the U.S. The visit serves as a goodwill mission at a time when relations between the two countries need a booster. Trade relations have been strained, and other conflicts are on the rise. The royals' first stop was meant to salve at least one sore spot: race relations, injured by Japanese officials' racist comments aimed at America. Along with meeting former President Carter, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko paid their respects to the widow of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.