MANILA, Oct. 13 (PNA) — The Philippine government has started coordinating with the Japanese government for the possible visit of Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko in 2016.
“We are pleased to announce that the Philippines has started necessary coordination with Japan for a visit of Their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan, to the Philippines, possibly in early 2016,” Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement.
Coloma said the planned visit of the Japanese monarch “responds to President (Benigno) Aquino’s (III) invitation.”
“It will be the first time a reigning Emperor of Japan will be visiting the Philippines, and returns the warm welcome Their Majesties extended to the President when he visited Tokyo earlier this year,” he added.
Aquino was in Japan from June 2-5, 2015 for a State Visit, his second official visit to that country. (PNA)