Japan Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko visit Malacañang

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan arrived at Malacañang Palace on Wednesday morning and were met by President Benigno Aquino III and Cabinet officials.

The emperor is in the Philippines for a five-day state visit, the first such visit of a Japanese head of state since World War II.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko arrived past 10 a.m. and were accorded arrival honors at the Palace grounds. Together with Aquino during the ceremony was his sister, Pinky Aquino-Abellada.

Several Cabinet members also welcomed the Emperor and Empress, including Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, and Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, among others.

Emperor Akihito also signed the guest book in Malacañang.

At 11:30 a.m., the emperor and empress were scheduled to go to the Rizal Monument in Manila for a wreath-laying ceremony.

They will again be hosted in Malacañang at 7:30 p.m. for the state dinner.

All set for the arrival of Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko in Malacañang this morning pic.twitter.com/bQUPorzNBI

— Kaecee Alvarez (@kaeceealvarez) January 27, 2016

President Aquino welcomes Japan's Emperor and Empress in Malacañang pic.twitter.com/SAPMd3PCpr

— Kaecee Alvarez (@kaeceealvarez) January 27, 2016

PHOTOS: Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko greet members of the Cabinet during the arrival ceremony pic.twitter.com/rgnW7cFbPh

— Kaecee Alvarez (@kaeceealvarez) January 27, 2016

— with Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/KG/RSJ, GMA News