State Visit of Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan
January 26-30, 2016
In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Philippines, Their Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko is embarking on a five-day State Visit to the Philippines.
It was in November 1962 when Their Majesties first came to the country as Crown Prince and Crown Princess to the Chrysanthemum throne. Their State Visit to the Philippines at this time is their first as a Japanese Imperial royalty.
One of the highlights of their activities is a visit to the World War II memorial sites, particularly at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City and at the Cenotaph of the War Dead in the Philippines in Caliraya, Laguna.
The Imperial couple is also set to meet with Filipino-Japanese descendants who are born on or before World War II.
Japan is the Philippines’ largest trading partner and is an active supporter of the peace process and development in Mindanao. As of 2014, it is also the country’s largest source of investment amounting to P35.7 billion.
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