Duterte won’t meet Japan’s Emperor Naruhito during his working visit, says PHL ambassador

President Rodrigo Duterte and Emperor Naruhito will not have a meeting in observance of and respect for strict Japanese tradition and protocol, says Philippine Ambassador to Japan Jose Laurel V.

"You see the Japanese are very 'protocolar.' They are very traditional. They actually choose who visits them," Laurel told reporters.

"And no one will see him not even anyone of the five that were invited to speak at Nikkei because Nikkei is a private affair. And there is no chance because pagka pinalusot mo si Duterte, palulusutin mo si Mahathir. Pagpa pinalusot mo si Mahathir, papasok ‘yung Laos at saka ‘yung Cambodia," he added.

Laurel likened the status of the incumbent emperor with traditional preparations for a wedding.

"You know they have a system. Parang ikakasal na babae. Hindi pwedeng makita ang mukha ng ikakasal. The bride is now shown. Makikita mo lang ‘yung kamay," he explained.

It is only after Emperor Naruhito has been crowned, which has been set in October this year, that visits from dignitaries are possible.

"So the Japanese have their own rituals. You have to understand them. You have to understand their culture, their system. And in the end, you get along with them because they have a system that you have to wait until they are crowned," said Laurel. — with Virgil Lopez/BAP, GMA News