Japan’s Akihito in Philippines to honour WWII dead

epa05126397 Japan's Emperor Akihito (L) and Empress Michiko (C) are greeted by Filipino President Benigno Aquino III (R) as they review the guard of honour during arrival ceremonies at Manila's international airport, Philippines, 26 January 2016. The Emperor and Empress are in Manila for a four-day visit that coincides with the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Philippines after World War II. EPA/FRANCIS R. MALASIG

MANILA: Japan’s Emperor Akihito pledged Tuesday to honour those who died in one of World War II’s deadliest battles, as he began a historic visit to the Philippines.

Akihito, 82, and his wife, Empress Michiko, 81, will visit two war memorials during the five-day trip, the first by a reigning Japanese emperor to the Southeast Asian nation.