THE Japanese ambassador to Manila on Friday underscored the importance of remembering the devastations of war and the high value of peace, even as he ensured that the memories of the armed conflicts were not forgotten and that the legacy of the past is passed on to the next generations.
Ambassador Endo Kazuya issued the statement in his remarks at the commemorative rites for Japan’s war heroes held at the Japanese Memorial Garden in Caliraya, Laguna.
The envoy also reaffirmed his commitment to further strengthen friendly relations between Japan and the Philippines.
Some 250 people from Japan-related groups, Japanese descendants, members of the Japan War-Bereaved Association, delegates from the Philippines government and other sectors attended this year’s ceremony.
The event opened with the singing of the national anthems of Japan and the Philippines by the Japanese Association Manila Choir, followed by a moment of silence in memory of those who perished in the war.
The reading of memorial messages followed suit.
The memorial messages were delivered by Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
In addition, memorial addresses were presented by Eiji Morikawa, secretary general of the Japan War-Bereaved Association, and Kazunori Okamoto, president of the Japanese Association Manila, representing the Japanese community in the Philippines.
