Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — President Rodrigo Duterte’s State Call to Japanese Emperor Akihito was cancelled Thursday after the Emperor’s uncle, Prince Mikasa, passed away earlier in the day at 100 years old.
Read: Prince Mikasa, Japanese Emperor Akihito’s uncle, dies at 100
“I’d like to express my deepest condolence,” Duterte said in an ambush interview. “Sinabihan (ako) ng protocol officer na huwag na magpunta. Nasa stage sila ng mourning. I respect that because I would ask for the same if I’m in his shoes.”
[Translation: The protocol officer told me not to go anymore. They’re in a stage of mourning.]
The State Call was part of the President’s three-day State visit in Japan aimed at fostering closer ties between the two countries.
Read: Duterte to tackle strategic ties and possibly South China Sea dispute in Japan trip
Mikasa was the youngest brother of the current emperor’s father, Hirohito, in whose name Japan fought World War Two. The prince, a scholar of ancient Oriental history, taught at colleges, and served as honorary president of the Middle Eastern Culture Center in Japan and the Japan-Turkey Society.
