Among the highlights of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s official visit in this city was the tour that his wife, Akie, made to the historic Japanese cemetery in Mintal, now considered as Davao’s “Little Tokyo.”
Akie arrived at the site 10:15 a.m. on Thursday where he was met by local officials in the area led by Barangay Captain Ramon Bargamento.
She was accompanied by President Rodrigo Duterte’s common-law wife, Honeylet Avanceña.
Also in attendance during the visit in Mintal were Bertola Medialdea, wife of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Yuko Ishikawa, wife of Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa.
Other officials in Davao City, including Congressman Alberto Ungab of 3rd district as well as former Congressman Isidro Ungab also greeted the Prime Minister’s wife at the site.
Akie offered a wreath to the monument of the Zaryu Senbou Douhou Irei Tou or the “Tower of Japanese residents who passed away”.
She was also briefed by Barangay Captain Bargamento of the history of the place.
“She was teary-eyed at the cemetery. Siguro hindi niya ma-explain ang kanyang naramdaman when he saw that tower,” Bargamento told reporters in an interview.
He said he was only given 30 seconds to brief the Premier’s wife about the Japanese cemetery.
Despite the short visit, Bargamento said they are happy that Madame Abe was able to visit Mintal.
“We were in heaven, nasa heaven talaga. I tried my best to brief her of the important information regarding the area, the cemetery. I also handed to her a token – the old money,” he pointed out.
Bargamento said Akie was also thankful that she was able to know the deepness of the relationship of Filipinos and Japanese in Davao.
“Nagpasalamat siya at yun nga ngayon nya nalaman yung lalim ng samahan ng mga Pilipino at Hapon lalo na sa Davao City at sa Barangay Mintal,” he added.
Akie then proceeded to visit the Ureinashi Ni Ho or the “Monument of No Regret” that was built by the city govt of Davao.
Barangay officials in Mintal expressed gratitude to Akie for the visit, saying the occasion was an honor and manifestation of the continuing good relationship between Philippines and Japan.
The Japanese cemetery in Mintal is being maintained by the city government of Davao.
Records said around 300 Japanese soldiers, including Japanese civilians were buried in said cemetery from the period 1935 until the end of World War II in 1945.
