Published 1 day ago • loading... • Updated 7 hours ago
Japan Welcomes Philippines’ Marcos at Imperial Palace
The ceremony marked Japan’s first state guest reception since March last year, with a banquet planned for the evening and talks held after the welcome.
On Wednesday morning, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako welcomed Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his wife at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, where a ceremony featured national anthems and a Self-Defense Forces guard of honor salute.
Marcos's visit marks the first state guest reception from a Philippine president since 2015, coinciding with the Philippines' chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the 70th anniversary of Japan-Philippines diplomatic relations.
The Eastern Court ceremony was Japan's first state guest reception since Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's March 2025 visit; Philippine folk music accompanied the proceedings, and an evening banquet will include 19-year-old Prince Hisahito, currently in his second year at the University of Tsukuba.
Following the ceremony, Marcos and his wife held private talks with the Emperor and Empress in the Take no Ma audience room, while Crown Prince Akishino's participation marked his first time attending a state guest welcome.
Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae was introduced to Marcos during the reception, with the formal evening banquet underscoring Japan's diplomatic engagement with the Philippines during this milestone anniversary year.