Emperor and Empress Welcome Philippine President and First Lady

May 27, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, who are visiting Japan as state guests, were welcomed by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace at around 9:30 a.m. on May 27th during an official welcoming ceremony.

During the ceremony, the national anthems of both countries as well as music associated with the Philippines were performed, while Marcos received an honor guard salute from the Imperial Guard.

Following the ceremony, the Emperor and Empress escorted the presidential couple to the Take-no-Ma room inside the palace, where the two sides reportedly held talks in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

The welcoming ceremony marks the third reception for state guests since the start of the Reiwa era. A state banquet is scheduled to be held later in the evening at the Palace's Homei-Den hall, with Prince Hisahito, the eldest son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, expected to attend for the first time.

Typhoon No. 15: Heavy Rain Risk Remains in Kanto

Typhoon No. 15 continued moving west across central Japan on August 12, but heavy rain, strong winds and thunderstorms remained a threat far from the storm's center, with intense rainfall reported in parts of Tokyo and damage including fallen and broken trees in Ibaraki and Tochigi prefectures.

Japanese Woman Trapped in North Korea for 40 Years

Hiroko Saito was 19 years old when she left Japan for North Korea in June 1961 with her Korean husband and their one-year-old daughter, persuaded by assurances that they were heading to a "paradise on earth" and that she could return to Japan after three years. Instead, she would spend four decades in North Korea, enduring chronic hunger, the deaths of her husband and children and a desperate struggle to survive before finally escaping and returning home in 2001.

Typhoon No. 15 Travel Disruption Eases as Most Major Services Resume

Transport disruption caused by Typhoon No. 15 was easing across eastern Japan on the morning of August 12, with most major railway and airline services returning to normal after dozens of flight cancellations and widespread rail disruption during the storm's landfall in Ibaraki Prefecture the previous evening.

H3 Rocket No. 9 Successfully Launches Japan GPS Satellite

Japan's H3 Rocket No. 9 successfully placed the Michibiki No. 7 navigation satellite into its planned orbit after lifting off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture at 4:23 a.m. on August 11, marking the country's second consecutive successful H3 launch.

Tokaido Shinkansen Runs First Overnight Service

The Tokaido Shinkansen operated its first overnight service ahead of the Obon holiday period, offering travelers a 15,000 yen trip from the Tokyo area to Kyoto and Shin-Osaka while allowing them to save on hotel costs and arrive earlier than the first regular morning trains.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Politics NEWS

Up to 3 Million Yen in Aid Planned for Kumamoto Earthquake Victims

Prime Minister Takaichi said on August 10 that the government expects to apply the Disaster Victims' Livelihood Recovery Support Act across all of Kumamoto Prefecture, allowing households whose homes were completely destroyed in the Kumamoto earthquake to receive up to 3 million yen in assistance.

Nagasaki Marks 81st Anniversary With Call to Uphold Non-Nuclear Principles

Nagasaki marked the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing on August 9 with a memorial ceremony near the hypocenter, where Mayor Shiro Suzuki declared nuclear weapons an "absolute evil" and called on the Japanese government to uphold its Three Non-Nuclear Principles.

BOJ Rate Pressure Puts Takaichi’s Economic Agenda Under Scrutiny

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s economic strategy faced renewed pressure on August 7 as attention shifted toward the Bank of Japan’s September policy meeting, with central bank officials preparing a series of public appearances that could signal whether another interest-rate hike is becoming likely after recent yen turmoil and fiscal concerns.

Hiroshima Marks 81 Years Since Atomic Bombing With Peace Ceremony

Hiroshima marked the 81st anniversary of the atomic bombing on August 6 with a peace memorial ceremony at Peace Memorial Park, where Mayor Kazumi Matsui warned of the growing danger that nuclear weapons could be used and called for renewed action toward their abolition.

Japan Moves to Slash Food Consumption Tax

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government formally approved a plan on August 5 to reduce the consumption tax rate on food and nonalcoholic beverages from 8% to 1% for two years beginning in April 2027, setting the stage for a difficult parliamentary battle over how to cover an estimated 10 trillion yen revenue shortfall and whether the politically sensitive tax can be restored afterward.

Japan Defense White Paper Sparks Debate Over Military Buildup

Japan’s latest defense white paper has sparked controversy by presenting the country’s expanding military buildup not only as a national security necessity but also as a potential engine of economic growth, drawing criticism from China and raising fresh domestic questions over how far Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government is prepared to link defense, industry and fiscal policy.

Takaichi Tax Cut Clears LDP As BOJ Pressure Deepens Market Test

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s food-tax cut plan cleared a major ruling party hurdle on August 5, intensifying debate over whether her government can deliver household relief without weakening fiscal credibility or drawing the Bank of Japan deeper into the administration’s economic agenda.

Zelenskyy Orders Stronger Diplomatic Engagement With Japan

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed diplomatic officials on August 3 to strengthen relations with Japan, expressing disappointment with the results achieved so far and raising speculation that Kyiv is seeking Japanese weapons supplies.

< 2 3 4 5 >