AGES Aviation Center, Balagbag Ramp, Pasay City
26 January 2016

President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed Their Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan on the first day of their State Visit to the Philippines.
Their Majesties’ visit marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan, and is also the first official visit of a reigning Japanese Imperial royalty.
According to the Official Gazette (www.gov.ph), Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko first came to the country on November 5-10, 1962. A successor to the Chrysanthemum throne, the then Crown Prince Akihito and Crown Princess Michiko arrived for a five-day State Visit and were welcomed by President Diosdado Macapagal. The royal couple also paid a visit to former President Emilio Aguinaldo in his residence at Kawit, Cavite.
The long history of Philippines-Japan relations dates back to 1889, when the Imperial Japanese government installed a consulate in Manila during the Spanish colonial period. It was only on July 23, 1956 when diplomatic relations between the two countries were formally established through the ratification by the Philippine Senate of the Reparations Agreement between Japan and the Republic of the Philippines.

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