Japanese royals visiting Philippines next year

MANILA, Philippines - Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will come for a visit early next year upon the invitation of President Aquino, Malacañang announced yesterday.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the government has started coordinating with Japan for the visit.

“It will be the first time a reigning emperor of Japan will be visiting the Philippines, and return the warm welcome their majesties extended to the President when he visited Tokyo earlier this year,” Coloma said.

The emperor and empress made a state visit here on Nov. 5 to 10, 1962 as crown prince and princess. At the time, Akihito was conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Raja by former President Diosdado Macapagal, who in turn received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Chrysanthemum from the royal couple.

During his state visit to Japan in June, Aquino gave the couple a photo showing Akihito raising the arm of former President Emilio Aguinaldo at the balcony of the Aguinaldo Mansion in Kawit, Cavite.

Aquino’s first visit to Japan as president was in November of 2010 to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. He also went there on an official visit in September 2011, the 40th Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Japan commemorative summit in December 2013 and a working visit in June 2014.

The President received the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, Japan’s most prestigious award, during his state visit there.

Aquino in turn conferred the Order of Lakandula with the Rank of Supremo on the emperor and the Order of Sikatuna with the Rank of Raja on Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when the latter visited the country in 2013.

Coloma said the visit of the emperor and the empress was significant given the strategic partnership and robust bilateral relations between the two countries.

He said the friendship and cooperation of the two countries were further strengthened during the President’s state visit in June.

 “I think the President mentioned in one of his speeches that the (emperor and empress) were looking for ‘ube ice cream’ or other Filipino delicacies that they knew were delicious,” Coloma said.

He said it was good to note that after more than five decades Akihito and his wife had not forgotten their happy and good memories of the Philippines.

Japan is a top trading partner of the Philippines and a major source of official development assistance, investments and tourists.