MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte flew to Japan on Monday to attend the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito.
Duterte left Davao City around 6:30 p.m. onboard a private plane.
Aside from witnessing the enthronement, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte would attend two banquets during his fourth visit to Japan.
Naruhito ascended to the throne in May but his formal enthronement is set on Tuesday, October 22.
In his arrival briefing from Russia on October 6, Duterte said he should witness the enthronement because Japan has been one of the countries “that is really helping us.”
“While this Administration is unyielding in charting an independent foreign policy course, it considers Japan, or the Land of the Rising Sun, as a special strategic partner in various areas and greatly values the diplomatic ties of the Philippines with it,” Panelo said in a statement Monday.
He added that “after all, Japan is our 2nd major trading partner and 4th biggest source and market for Philippine tourism.”
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Japan, he said, has also been the largest Official Development Assistance provider to the Philippines.
He cited that 26 business agreements with an estimated investment value of P288-B, which are projected to create 82,737 jobs in the country, were signed during Duterte’s visit to Tokyo in May.
He said “the signing of these business agreements clearly shows Japan’s vote of confidence in our President’s method of governance, as well as in our country’s economic prospects at present.”
“It has contributed to our infrastructure development, which includes utilizing Japanese technology and expertise to support the country’s first subway project which was inaugurated under PRRD’s leadership,” Panelo said.
Japan, he added, “has generously assisted our government in the latter’s peace and development efforts in Mindanao, such as the rehabilitation of Marawi.”
Panelo further said “the golden age of Philippines-Japan friendship has indeed started to unfold, saying “it is but proper to give honor to an important partner by being present at the enthronement ceremony which is considered by the Japanese to be one of their country’s most momentous events.” /je /kga