Japanese Emperor Akihito and his wife Empress Michiko will be visiting the country January next year for a state visit, Malacañang announced Friday.

Presidential spokesman Secretary Edwin Lacierda said through text message that “the Philippines is pleased to receive Their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan, to a state visit.”

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The state visit, which will be from January 26 until the 30th of the said month, is in response to President Benigno Aquino III’s long-standing invitation for Their Majesties to visit the country.

The Japanese royals’ last visit was in 1962 when they were then Crown Prince and Princess.

“The state visit is an auspicious start of the commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan in 2016,” Lacierda said.

“The visit will further deepen and expand bilateral relations,” he added.

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