MANILA, Philippines – A stamp featuring 60 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan will be issued within the year to mark the historic visit of Emperor Akihito on Jan. 26.
Japan Post and the Philippine Postal Corp. will issue counterpart stamps.
PhlPost abandoned plans to issue a special stamp to honor the visit after it failed to get approval from the Imperial Palace to use the image of the emperor in the stamp, Leny San Diego, PhlPost philatelic service director, told The STAR.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has reportedly informed the Imperial Palace about PhlPost’s plan but failed to gain clearance to use the emperor’s image on the stamp.
San Diego said they are thinking of common themes to be featured in the joint stamp issuance, such as the Imperial Palace of Japan and Malacañang Palace.
“The joint issuance of the stamp would be released on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan,” she said.
However, this is not certain to push through since they are still waiting for the approval from their counterparts, San Diego said.
“This is in line with the stamp committee’s order that if the stamp is for diplomatic relations, it has to be a joint issuance,” she said.
Enrique Tagle, PhlPost marketing and support services manager, said they have coordinated with the Japan Post, the embassy of the Philippines in Tokyo and the embassy of Japan in Manila.
They thought of coming out with a stamp to mark the visit of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko because “our relationship with Japan has never been stronger. Japan released the biggest ODA (Official Development Assistance) in history: $2 billion to finance the south and north rail,” he said.
Japan has been a helpful neighbor of the Philippines, especially during times of calamities, Tagle said.