Malacañang wishes Japan Emperor well as he ends three-decade reign
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Mon, 29 Apr 2019 16:01:26 +0000
Malacañang yesterday sent well wishes to Japanese Emperor Akihito who will end his three-decade reign today, making him the first emperor to abdicate in 200 years.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Malacanang is “melancholic” but respects the Emperor’s decision to step down from his throne and relinquish it to his son Crown Prince Naruhito.
“The Palace feels melancholic about the abdication of Japanese Emperor Akihito, who is considered a good friend of the Philippines,” Panelo said. “But he has made a decision and we can only respect it and wish him well with whatever awaits him after he leaves the throne,” he added.
Panelo expressed confidence that Naruhito’s assumption as emperor would augur well for Philippines-Japan relations.
He noted that Japan’s $9-billion investment and aid package for the Philippines, spread over five years, is the largest amount the Japanese government has committed for a single country.
Panelo is hopeful that ties between the Philippines and Japan will remain strong under the reign of Emperor Naruhito.
“We hope to build the ‘golden age’ for Philippines-Japan strategic partnership during the reign of the new Emperor. As PRRD himself said, Japan is our friend, closer even than a brother,” Panelo said. (PNA and Argyll Geducos)