The Emperor and Empress arrived at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Tuesday afternoon, starting a five-day official visit to the Philippines.
They are the first Japanese Emperor and Empress to visit the Philippines. The Imperial couple visited the Southeast Asian country in 1962 when they were crown prince and crown princess.
The latest visit is mainly intended to promote friendship between Japan and the Philippines as this year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral diplomatic ties. But the couple will also visit places commemorating the war dead of the two countries, as they strongly hope to do so.
The Philippines was a fierce battleground during World War II where about 518,000 Japanese were killed, the largest death toll by region anywhere outside Japan. Many Filipinos also were killed.(Jiji Press)
Link: http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0002708107
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