MANILA, Philippines - Japanese Emperor Akihito and his wife, Empress Michiko will visit the Philippines on Jan. 26 to 30, Malacañang said yesterday.
“The Philippines is pleased to receive their majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan, to a state visit,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said, quoting the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The state visit is in response to President Aquino’s long-standing invitation for the couple to visit the country, Lacierda said.
“The Philippine government and the Filipino people look forward to welcoming their majesties,” he said.
The Emperor and the Empress last visited the Philippines in 1962 when they were then Crown Prince and Princess, Lacierda said.
“The state visit is an auspicious start of the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan in 2016,” he said. “The visit will further deepen and expand bilateral relations.”
Earlier, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said it would be the first time a reigning emperor of Japan would be visiting the Philippines.
As Crown Prince and Princess, the Emperor and Empress went on a state visit to the country on Nov. 5 to 10, 1962.
The then Crown Prince was conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Rajah by then President Diosdado Macapagal, who in turn received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Chrysanthemum.
Aquino first went to Japan in November of 2010 to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, followed by an official visit in September of 2011, his participation in the 40th Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Japan commemorative summit in December 2013, a working visit in June 2014 and then the state visit in June of this year.
During his state visit, Aquino received Japan’s most prestigious award, the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum.
In exchange, Aquino 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, who visited the country in 2013 to meet with him.
Abe said he is pleased to announce that the Emperor and Empress will pay a state visit to the Philippines.
“Japan has long enjoyed close and cordial relations with the Philippines,” he said.