Akihito: Japan must never forget WW II

MANILA, Philippines – Japanese Emperor Akihito on Wednesday said World War II “is something we Japanese must never forget” as President Aquino thanked him and his wife, Empress Michiko for visiting the Philippines at this time and serving as “respected symbols” in achieving “peace everywhere you go.”

During the state dinner at the Rizal Hall adorned by white moth orchids and sampaguita flowers, Akihito said Japan marked the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II last year where fierce battles between Japan and the United States took place on Philippine soil, resulting in the loss of many Filipino lives and leaving many Filipinos injured.

“This is something we Japanese must never forget and we intend to keep this engraved in our hearts throughout our visit,” Akihito said.

There was no mention of war during the morning meeting between Aquino and Akihito after the welcome ceremony at Malacañang, including the issue on Filipino comfort women’s demand for apology.

Controversial topics like sea disputes were also not expected to be tackled during the visit of the imperial couple as they were Japan’s non-political leaders. Japan and the Philippines share these concerns and have been calling peaceful and diplomatic resolution of maritime and territorial disputes for the sake of stability.

For his part, Aquino said “may the solidarity between our two peoples redound to a shared prosperity for generations to come; and may the strategic partnership of our two nations serve as a firm cornerstone for peace, stability and progress in our part of the world.”

The emperor also paid tribute to Dr. Jose Rizal, the country’s national hero, who fought for the country’s independence from Spanish rule.

Akihito said the people of the Philippines and Japan enjoyed exchanges with each other through commerce since the mid-16th century, when a Japan town was formed in Manila.

In the 17th century, however, Akihito said the Tokugawa shogunate, which was administering Japan at the time, adopted a policy of national seclusion, forbidding Japanese citizens from traveling overseas and foreign nationals from entering Japan.

“This marked an end to exchanges between our countries,” Akihito said.

“It would not be until the mid-19th century when Japan ended its policy of national seclusion and started entering into diplomatic relations with other countries that the exchanges between our two countries resumed,” the emperor added.

During that time, Akihito said the Philippines was still under Spanish control, but Filipinos were pursuing independence, heedless of the danger.

“One of the foremost activists was Dr. José Rizal, who pressed for independence not with the force of arms but with his writings. Rizal spent a month and a half in Japan, deepening his understanding of our country and leaving behind his writings in which he envisioned that our two countries would one day engage in a full-fledged relationship,” Akihito said.

In addition to being a national hero in the Philippines, the emperor said Rizal “was a pioneer in forging friendly ties between the Philippines and Japan.”

The emperor, who traveled with his wife, Empress Michiko, said it was a great pleasure to be here on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan and expressed “profound gratitude” for the banquet and Aquino’s gracious words of welcome.

Akihito recalled their first trip to the Philippines 54 years ago, in November 1962, as a representative of Emperor Showa, to reciprocate the state visit by then president Carlos García and his wife in December 1958.

To this day, Akihito said the memory of the “warm smiles” they received from then president Diosdado Macapagal and his first lady as they stood by their plane when they arrived at the Manila airport and the “warm welcome” they received from the people of the Philippines “remain deep in our hearts.”

“It was during that time that we visited (the late) General Emilio Aguinaldo (the Philippines’ first president) and Mrs. Aguinaldo in Cavite, where we stood with them on the balcony from which Philippine independence was declared by the general in 1898. This still remains an unforgettable memory for us,” Akihito said.

The emperor praised Aquino’s sagacious and distinguished leadership as he noted that the Philippines “is achieving steady development as a vital member of the Asian community” under his term.

“It was a great privilege to welcome you to Japan as a state guest in the early summer last year, and the empress and I have many pleasant memories of your visit,” the emperor said.

Deep friendship

Aquino said it was a great honor to host the imperial couple as their presence emphasized the depth of friendship between the two nations.

“Many years ago, in 1962, your majesties first visited our shores. As you narrated to me: you then had a sense of apprehension as to how my countrymen would welcome you, in light of the pains of the past. However, you saw that your anxieties were unfounded, given the way in which president Diosdado Macapagal and the rest of the Filipino people received you,” Aquino said.

“Just as your majesties were imparted with so many good memories all those years ago, it is our hope that you will depart with even better memories after rediscovering the affection and hospitality of the Filipino people,” the President said.

Aquino said it was his fourth time to meet the emperor and the empress. The first was when he accompanied his mother, former president Corazon Aquino, on her visit to Japan in 1986. The others were during his visits to Japan as leader of the country.

“In all my encounters with your majesties, I have always admired the simplicity, sincerity and grace you demonstrate. One cannot help but marvel at how you have upheld your duties and obligations, and have undertaken tremendous sacrifices, which all form part of a lifetime commitment of restoring and enhancing relations,” the President said.

“I can only imagine the difficulties that you carry as the symbols of your nation and as individuals of goodwill. As the leader of my people, I accepted their mandate knowing full well that the sacrifices that I would have to make would be limited to my time in office. In meeting your majesties, I am held in awe, recognizing the burdens you have borne, as you have had to live with the weight of the decisions made by others during the dark episodes in the history of our nations,” Aquino said.

The President pointed out, however, that it was upon this history that the two countries built a far more enduring relationship.

“Japan has been a consistent, able, and trustworthy partner, (that) has helped advance our people’s progress,” Aquino said, noting that Japan was the country’s top trading partner in 2014 and largest source of active official development assistance as well as top source of Investment Promotion Agency-approved foreign investments for that year.

“Japan has likewise been a vital partner in our peace process and the development of Mindanao, as well as in the enhancement of our maritime and disaster management capabilities. You have also been a staunch ally in advancing the rule of law in our region. For all this, and many more, I, on behalf of my countrymen, say: Domo arigato gozaimasu (Thank you very much),” Aquino said.

“Your majesties, your visit becomes all the more meaningful when we consider that you have chosen to come to our country at this point in your lives. While traveling to our shores in the 1960s might have taken longer, your majesties may have found it less taxing back then. I speak for everyone present when I say that we are deeply honored by your majesties’ presence as ‘respected symbols achieving peace everywhere you go’,” Aquino said.

As he offered a toast, Aquino expressed hope that the imperial couple would continue to be blessed with great happiness and good health.