Emperor Akihito’s 84th birthday
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Millicent Cruz Paredes with Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda and wife Ihoko.
A cocktail reception was held at the Japanese Ambassador’s residence in Makati City to mark the 84th birthday of Emperor Akihito of Japan.
Leading the celebrations was new Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda, who started his career as a young diplomat in the Philippines during the 1980s.
While Emperor Akihito’s actual birthday falls on Dec. 23, celebrations can start as early as the first week of December with Japanese all over the world expressing good wishes to the much loved and respected monarch.
When the emperor ascended to the throne in January 1989 at the age of 55, his reign ushered in a new era that he named Heisei or achievement of peace. The emperor has since become immensely popular, drawing the imperial family closer to the people and using his position as monarch to promote peace and reconciliation with Japan’s adversaries during the Second World War.
The 125th occupant of the Chrysanthemum Throne, Emperor Akihito indicated his wish to abdicate in August 2016, through a video that he released, saying that he did not want his age and fragile health to pose difficulties in carrying out his official duties. The Japanese government has since drawn up the necessary legislation to allow his resignation and make way for his oldest son Naruhito to become the next emperor.
Early this month, the Imperial House Council, composed of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, members of Parliament, the Supreme Court judges and imperial family members, finally set April 30, 2019 as the date of abdication for Emperor Akihito, who will be the first monarch to step down in 200 years after the abdication of Emperor Kokaku in 1817. Photos by Ramon Joseph J. Ruiz
