Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan arrived in Manila Tuesday for a five-day state visit to the country, marking the 60th anniversary of Philippine-Japanese diplomatic relations.
The plane carrying Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress landed at 2:40 p.m. at the AGES Aviation Center, Balagbag Ramp in Pasay City, where they were accorded arrival honors.
On hand to welcome the Japanese imperial couple upon their arrival was President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by his sister, Aurora Corazon Aquino-Abellada.
After the arrival honors, the President introduced his Cabinet, including Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto del Rosario, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, and Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson to the Imperial couple.
Also present were Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Trade and Industry Secretary Adrian Cristobal, Jr., outgoing National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director General Arsenio Balisacan, Presidential Management Staff Chief Julia Andrea Abad, and Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel Lopez.
The Japanese Emperor and Empress are scheduled to meet with members of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers on Tuesday afternoon.
During their stay, Their Majesties will be given a welcome ceremony and a state dinner to be hosted by President Aquino in Malacañang Palace on Wednesday. Their Majesties are also scheduled to visit Laguna.
The trip is the first official visit by a reigning Japanese emperor to Southeast Asia. Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visited the country for the first time in November 1962 when they were Crown Prince and Crown Princess. PND (co)
