Busy Duterte to skip Japan coronation ceremony

MANILA, Philippines — Saying he has a lot of work to do, President Duterte is expected to skip the enthronement ceremony for new Japanese Emperor Naruhito next month.

Presidential spokeman Salvador Panelo, who is also chief presidential legal adviser, said yesterday Duterte might just send a representative to the event. 

The President did not say who he would send to the ceremony, Panelo said at a press briefing.

Naruhito ascended to the throne last May after his father Akihito abdicated, the first by a Japanese emperor in centuries. He will be enthroned formally in elaborate ceremonies to be held on Oct. 22.

Two years ago, Duterte met with then Japanese Emperor Akihito and his wife Empress Michiko and thanked them for visiting the Philippines during the 60th anniversary of the normalization of Philippines-Japan diplomatic ties in 2016.

Duterte last visited Japan in May to attend the 25th Nikkei International Conference.