JAPANESE Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko on Thursday morning met with representatives of the Philippine Federation of Japan Alumni (PHILFEJA) at the ancient San Diego Garden, located along the walls of Intramuros in Manila.
Escorted by Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa, the Imperial couple arrived at the garden, popularly known as Baluarte de San Diego, at about 10:20 a.m. The garden was constructed in 1596.
Upon arrival, Their Majesties were introduced by PHILFEJA president Philip Sanvictores to the federation’s members — Filipinos who were scholars of the Japanese government (Monbusho Scholarship) as well as private companies in Japan.
For 30 minutes, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko shook hands and talked to all 57 PHILFEJA members who attended the event.
From Intramuros, Their Majesties proceeded to Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel for a meeting with members of the Japanese community in the Philippines.
Among those who were present were Yoshio Amano, president of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines; Ines Mallari, president of the Federation Nikkei Jin Kai; Nami Iwashita, regional director of the International Children’s Action Network; Mitsuhiko Shimizu, president of the Japanese Association Manila; and Carlos Teraoka, former honorary general of the Japanese community in Baguio.
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko also met with third-generation Filipino-Japanese descendants, who waved small Japanese flags at the hotel lobby. The descendants were attending the 9th National Convention of the Filipino-Japanese Descendants being held at the Diamond Hotel in Manila. (PND)
