This is the official translation of Emperor Akihito’s message on his 83rd birthday.

Looking back on the past 12 months since my last birthday, the first thing that comes to mind is the visit to the Philippines with the Empress at the end of January on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between our two countries. We received a most gracious welcome and hospitality from His Excellency President Benigno Aquino III and we were warmly welcomed by the people of the Philippines at all of the places that we visited. It was almost 54 years since we first visited the Philippines as a representative of Emperor Showa, and I recalled that visit with fondness. At that time, we had been told that sentiments towards Japan were still bitter, but when we landed at the airport and walked down the boarding ramp, I recalled we were welcomed with warm smiles by then President Diosdado Pangan Macapagal and the First Lady.

During our stay this time, we had the opportunity to meet the Filipino students and trainees who had been in Japan in recent years. We also observed the young Filipino people taking Japanese language lessons in the hope of one day aiding the people of Japan as nurses and care workers. I was happy to see how our bilateral relations have greatly progressed over the last 54 years.