Duterte finally meets with Emperor Akihito in Japan

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday met with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of the Japanese Imperial Family in Tokyo.

Duterte was joined by his common-law wife Honeylet Avanceña during the meeting.

Duterte was supposed to meet Akihito during his first visit to Japan in October 2016, but it was cancelled after the announcement of the death of the Emperor’s uncle, 100-year-old Prince Mikasa.

During his joint press event with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Duterte said he was grateful for the kindness and compassion the Emperor and the Empress showed during their visit for the 60th anniversary of the normalization of Philippine-Japan diplomatic relations.

The Emperor and the Empress visited the Philippines in January 2016.

“I am eager to convey my deep respect and admiration [to] His Majesty,” Duterte said.

Before leaving for Japan on Sunday, Duterte, known for his fiery speeches peppered with cuss words, vowed to control his language during his meeting with the Emperor.

Akihito is the 125th emperor of Japan. He acceded to the throne in 1989. In June, Japan’s parliament passed a law allowing Emperor Akihito to abdicate the Chrysanthemum Throne. If ever, he will be succeeded by Crown Prince Naruhito. 

The 83-year-old monarch who had heart surgery and treatment for prostate cancer expressed in 2016 his concerns of how his age could affect the fulfillment of his duties. —KBK, GMA News