Malacañang wishes Japan emperor well as he ends 3-decade reign

FILE: TALLINN. ESTONIA. 05/24/2007. The Japanese Emperor Akihito during his official visit to the Republic of Estonia in 2007 (Nikolai Sharubin / Shutterstock.com)

MANILA — Malacañang sent well wishes to Japanese Emperor Akihito, who will be ending his three-decade reign on Tuesday (April 30), making him the first emperor to abdicate in 200 years.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Palace is “melancholic” but respects the emperor’s decision to step down from his throne and to 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 in a statement on Monday.

“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 Crown Prince Naruhito’s assumption would augur well for Philippines-Japan relations.

He noted that Japan’s USD9-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.

The Presidential Spokesperson was also hopeful that ties between the Philippines and Japan will remain strong under the reign of Crown Prince Naruhito as the new emperor.

“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.

Meanwhile, Panelo recalled the time Emperor Akihito, together with his wife, Empress Michiko, visited the Philippines in 2016 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the normalization of Philippine-Japan diplomatic relations.

He also recalled the time Duterte was humbled by meeting His Majesty at the Imperial Palace two years ago, where he personally extended his gratitude for the kindness and compassion of the Emperor.

Reports showed that Emperor Akihito’s decision to end his reign stemmed from concerns about his age, declining health, and his desire to abdicate while he is still well and capable.

Prince Naruhito, 59, who ascends the throne on Wednesday (May 1), is the elder of Emperor Akihito’s two sons.