DUTERTE ATTENDS JAPAN EMPEROR ENTHRONEMENT. President Rodrigo Duterte arrives in Japan on Tuesday to attend the historic enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito. Duterte will be with his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, during the Emperor’s enthronement ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo Tuesday afternoon. (Photo courtesy of Sen. Bong Go)
MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte arrived in Japan on Tuesday to attend the historic enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito.
Senator Christopher Lawrence Go, who is part of the “lean delegation” to Japan, posted on Facebook the photos of the President’s arrival in Tokyo at 12:54 a.m. Tuesday.
Apart from Go, other Philippine officials who accompanied Duterte in Tokyo were Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, Philippine Ambassador to Japan Jose Laurel V, Special Envoy to Japan for Trade and Market Access Feliciano Belmonte Jr., and Chief of President Protocol and Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs Robert Borje.
Duterte will be with his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, during the Emperor’s enthronement ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Tuesday afternoon.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea was named officer-in-charge to “take care of the day-to-day operations in the Office of the President and oversee the general administration of the Executive Department,” while the President is in Japan on October 21 to 23.
On Monday, Panelo said Duterte’s attendance to the Emperor’s formal accession reflects his administration’s recognition of Japan as the Philippines’ “important” partner.
Emperor Naruhito, 59, officially started his reign in May this year after his father, Emperor Akihito, abdicated the throne, the first by a monarch in over two centuries.
The enthronement rites, which will be attended by world leaders and other dignitaries from over 170 countries, will formalize Naruhito’s accession to Japan’s Chrysanthemum Throne.
However, a parade celebrating the Emperor’s formal ascension was postponed to give respect to the victims of Typhoon Hagibis that wreaked havoc in Japan last week that left almost 80 people dead.
The President will also attend a banquet that will be hosted by the Emperor on Tuesday night after his official accession to the throne.
Duterte is also expected to attend another banquet that will be hosted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday.
Duterte will return to the Philippines on Thursday. (PNA)
