Philippine Ambassador to Japan Jose C. Laurel V Presents Credentials to His Majesty the Emperor
Tokyo, 09 June 2017
His Majesty the Emperor receives Ambassador Jose C. Laurel V’s letter of credence at the Matsu-no-Ma (State Room), Imperial Palace, 9 June. Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso attended as Minister of State in Attendance.
The new Philippine Ambassador to Japan, H.E. Jose C. Laurel V, presented his credentials today to His Majesty Emperor Akihito, in rites held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
In conversation taking place towards the end of the ceremony, H.M. the Emperor recalled his visits to the Philippines, most recently in January 2016, and conveyed his greetings to the Filipino people. Ambassador Laurel, for his part, welcomed the excellent bonds prevailing between the Philippines and Japan, citing the relationship as a model of reconciliation, cooperation and brotherhood for other countries. The Ambassador assured His Majesty of his commitment to the further broadening and deepening bilateral ties, as he paid tribute to the legacy of his grandfather, President Jose P. Laurel, and his father, Jose S. Laurel III, who also served as Philippine Ambassador to Japan (1966-1971).
The Hon. Taro Aso, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, was also present at the ceremony as Minister of State in attendance.
H.E. Yoshitaka Akimoto, Grand Master of Ceremonies of the Imperial Household Agency (3rd from L), greets Amb. Jose C. Laurel V and his official suite (L-R 2nd Secretary Margret Malang, Minister Josel Ignacio, Minister & Consul General Marian Jocelyn Tirol-Ignacio, Deputy Chief of Mission Eduardo Martin Meñez, 1st Secretary Leah Rodriguez, and 2nd Secretary Cassandra Sawadjaan) upon their arrival at the Imperial Palace.
A native of Batangas, Ambassador Laurel spent part of his childhood in Japan. Together with other illustrious members of the Laurel family, he has devoted his life to promoting cooperation, exchanges and mutual appreciation between the Filipino and Japanese peoples. The Ambassador was formerly Governor of Batangas, Chairman of the Executive Committee of YKK Philippines, Inc., and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Philippines-Japan Friendship Foundation. END
Amb. Jose C. Laurel V and Mrs. Milagros Ereñeta Laurel with the officers of the Philippine Embassy (L-R Minister Josel Ignacio, 1st Secretary Leah Rodriguez, Minister & Consul General Marian Jocelyn Ignacio, 3rd Secretary Andrea Leycano, 3rd Secretary Domini Kitade, 2nd Secretary Margret Malang, 2nd Secretary Cassandra Sawadjaan and Deputy Chief of Mission Eduardo Martin Meñez).
