PRRD to skip Japan Emperor’s enthronement

FILE: Japanese Emperor Naruhito, sits in the back of a limousine during a visit to Yamaguchi prefecture. (WorldStock / Shutterstock.com)

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte will skip the enthronement ceremony of Japanese Emperor Naruhito on October 22, Malacañang said on Monday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President will be sending a representative to attend because of the amount of work he has to prioritize.

“He (Duterte) has so many works to do.

He might be just sending somebody there,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

Panelo said Duterte has yet to announce who he will be sending on his behalf.

Last June, Duterte said it would be a “great honor” for the Philippines to receive the Japanese emperor in the future.

Panelo said Duterte made this remark during his bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

“The President likewise conveyed the best wishes of the Filipino people to Emperor Naruhito’s ascension to the throne adding that it would be a great honor for our country to receive Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako in the Philippines in the future,” Panelo said in a statement.

Philippine Ambassador to Japan Jose Laurel V said Duterte would not be able to meet the emperor because of protocols and traditions.

Naruhito ascended the throne on May 1, 2019, upon the abdication of his father, former emperor Akihito.

Malacañang earlier expressed confidence that Naruhito’s assumption would augur well for the Philippines-Japan relations.

“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.

Naruhito, 59, is the elder of former emperor Akihito’s two sons.