The prince, younger brother of Japan's Emperor Akihito, laid a wreath at the centenary monument commemorating the migration, and was later to be received at an official meeting with President Alan Garcia.

On Sunday he is to meet with representatives of the Japanese community here, one of the largest in Latin America, estimated at some 100,000 members.

On Monday Prince Hitachi will continue his official tour of the region with a visit to neighbouring Bolivia. -- AFP