Japanese emperor, empress honor World War II heroes

CAVINTI, Laguna – Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko led the families of the fallen Japanese soldiers and war veterans in a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at a war memorial here in Laguna.

The couple walked in a solemn manner towards the memorial monument built for the Japanese soldiers killed during the war and placed two bouquets of Chrysanthemum, a flower which the Japanese traditionally offer for the dead.

In front of the monument were the Philippine and Japanese flags mounted side by side.

READ: Emperor: Japanese people must never forget loss of Filipino lives in WWII

Afterward, the emperor and his wife were consoling the Japanese relatives of the slain soldiers 70 years ago when the Japanese Imperial army waged a war under the emperor’s name.

The sun shone during the ceremony which was somehow delayed by the intermittent weather.

The Japanese Imperial couple is now on the fourth day of their five -day visit which is largely believed to be part of their “pacifist pilgrimage” in the battle grounds previously occupied by the Japanese during the war. CDG

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