By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
After departing for Tokyo and meeting with the Filipino community late Tuesday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos received a warm welcome from the Japanese royal family in a State call on Wednesday.
The national anthems of both countries were played at the event, attended by Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Crown Prince Akishino, and Crown Princess Kiko, which took place at the Imperial Palace’s eastern court.
After the formalities, President Marcos Jr. received the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum—an award bestowed on foreign heads of state, royalty, and distinguished leaders for their great contributions to Japan.
The First Lady received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown, bestowed to female leaders of foreign royal families and women dignitaries during state visits.
The First Couple reciprocated the gesture by conferring the Order of Lakandula with the rank of Supremo or Grand Collar, on Emperor Naruhito, with the Order of Gabriela Silang bestowed on Empress Masako.
The welcome ceremony was followed by the introduction of the Japanese Cabinet and other government officials and the members of the Philippine delegation with each other.
President Marcos Jr. is the third world leader to have been received by the Emperor since his accession to the throne in 2019, reinforcing the deep ties between Tokyo and Manila as both countries mark the 70th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations.
His four-day state visit also marks the first time a Philippine leader has visited the East Asian nation since 2015, and coincides with the country’s chairship of ASEAN 2026. (with report from Kenneth Paciente | PTV News)
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