Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will make a five-day trip to the Philippines from January 26 on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral ties between Japan and the Philippines.
It will be the first official visit by a Japanese emperor to the Philippines, where around 1.1 million Filipinos and some 518,000 Japanese soldiers and civilians perished during World War II.
The emperor and empress last visited the Philippines in 1962 when they were crown prince and princess.
Their return after more than half a century comes on the invitation of President Benigno S. Aquino III, extended during his state visit to Japan last June.
During their stay, the imperial couples are expected to attend a welcoming ceremony and a banquet at the Malacañang palace to be attended by Aquino.
They will also meet with Japanese people living in the country.
Japan became the Philippine’s largest trading partner in 2014 and largest source of official development assistance.
