Philippine leader welcomes Japan’s emperor as ties blossom

The visit of the royal couple has added significance as the Japan and the Philippines – which were wartime enemies – mark the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko sampled delectable Filipino dishes during the state dinner held in their honor on Wednesday in Malacañang. Especially in the battle in Manila, a tremendously large number of innocent Filipino civilians were victims. “This is something we Japanese must never forget and we intend to keep this engraved in our hearts throughout our visit”, Emperor Akihito said.

Japan occupied the Philippines during World War II.

The 1945 battle for Manila between Japan and allied US and Philippine forces leveled the capital city and left more than 100,000 dead, according to Philippine historians.

The Japanese imperial couple on Wednesday attended a welcoming ceremony at Malacanang Palace, the official residence of the Philippine president in Manila, on the second day of their trip to pay their respects to those who perished in the Southeast Asian country during World War II and promote worldwide goodwill.

SAIPAN, JUNE 2005 – Six decades after the war, Akihito made the first trip by a Japanese monarch to an overseas World War II battlefield.

Akihito was 11 years old when the war ended with the obliteration of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Japan’s Emperor Akihito smiles at Empress Michiko as they board their airplane to leave for the Philippines at Haneda worldwide airport in Tokyo, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016.

He officially launched his visit on Wednesday morning with a red-carpet welcome ceremony at the presidential palace hosted by President Benigno Aquino.

Relations between the Philippines and Japan have improved dramatically since the war. Japan has become a major aid donor to the Philippines, and the countries are deepening security ties in the face of China’s military rise.

However, he said it would cost nothing to suggest to the Japanese emperor other forms of assistance that can be given, aside from what had already been given to the Filipino comfort women. More than half have since died.

With the visit of Akihito and Michiko to the International Rice Research Institute in Laguna, Del Rosario said the President and the Emperor spoke extensively about its importance to global agricultural developments.

“President Aquino should address the oppression we suffered, not just because he’s forced to”.

Of the apology, the emperor’s press secretary said his principal has delivered a short speech before he left Japan expressing his “profound grief that is known by President [Aquino] as well”. We haven’t received any justice. we have lost a lot.

“To the emperor of Japan, talk to your leader about Filipina grandmothers who are fighting for their rights”, one of the former sex slaves, Narcisa Claveria, 85, said over a megaphone.