PH Embassy Promotes PH-Japan Friendship in Okinawa
Philippine Embassy in Tokyo Chargé d’Affaires Robespierre L. Bolivar (third from right) and Mme. Maria Aurora J. Bolivar (third from left) represented the Philippines in festivities held in Naha City marking the 50th anniversary of the handover of Okinawa from the United States to Japan from 30 October to 01 November 2022. (Tokyo PE photo)
TOKYO, 07 November 2022 – Upon the invitation of Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki, Philippine Embassy in Tokyo Chargé d’Affaires Robespierre L. Bolivar and Mme. Maria Aurora J. Bolivar represented the Philippines in festivities held in Naha City marking the 50th anniversary of the handover of Okinawa from the United States to Japan from 30 October to 01 November 2022.
This golden anniversary coincided with the 7th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival 2022, a once-in-every-five-year event where people of Okinawan descent from all over the world return to Okinawa to celebrate their history and culture. The Festival featured musical and traditional Okinawan performances, such as the Eisa drum dance and Ryukyuan dance, and karate-do exhibition from Japan’s Tokyo 2020 Gold Medal-winning team.
Chargé d’Affaires and Mme. Bolivar were also invited by Okinawa City Mayor Sachio Kuwae to grace the opening of the 25th anniversary of “Japan – on the move – Through Diplomats’ Eyes 2022” photo exhibit, where Mme. Bolivar’s photo is among those currently being featured. The annual exhibit features photos of Japan taken by diplomats, and is being held through the patronage of Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado. This is the first time the traveling photo exhibit is being hosted in Okinawa.
Okinawa Prefecture is one of Japan`s largest migrant prefectures, and in North America, South America, and around the globe there are approximately 420,000 individuals of Okinawan descent. In the Philippines, there are approximately 1,800 people of Okinawan descent. The Philippines-Okinawan Society, established in 1982, hosted the 4th Worldwide Youth Uchinanchu Festival in the Philippines in 2015. END
Philippine Embassy in Tokyo Chargé d’Affaires Robespierre L. Bolivar (right) and Mme. Maria Aurora J. Bolivar (left) with Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki (center). (Tokyo PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.tokyo.philembassy.net, or https://www.tokyope.dfa.gov.ph, or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinJapan/.