In 1973 who became the first entertainer in Japan's history to receive an invitation to the Imperial Palace?

Touring throughout 1973, Diana Ross became the first entertainer in Japan's history to receive an invitation to the Imperial Palace for a private audience with the Empress Nagako, wife of Emperor Hirohito.

The following year, in April 1974, she became the first African-American woman to co-host the 46th Academy Awards, with John Huston, Burt Reynolds, and David Niven.