Press Releases

1. In June, 1953, President Quirino granted pardon to all of the 105 Japanese war criminals who were detained in Muntinlupa prison. Despite the loss of his own wife and three children during World War II, he said in the Statement, “I am doing this because I do not want my children and my people to inherit from me hate for people who might yet be our friends for the permanent interest of the country.” This executive clemency was conducted even though there was fear of being criticized amid severe post war anti-Japan feelings, and greatly contributed to the normalization of Japan-Philippines diplomatic relations, and laid the foundation of the current friendship between Japan and the Philippines.

2. This memorial has been erected by the Philippine Embassy in Japan at the site near Hibiya Public Hall where the National Appreciation Event was held in gratitude for President Quirino in July 1953. The Japan-Philippines Parliamentarians’ Friendship League, the Philippine Society of Japan, the Japan-Philippines Economic Cooperation Committee (Mitsubishi Corporation, Marubeni Corporation, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd, Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd, All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd etc.), the Kano Public Interest Incorporated Foundation in Shimane Prefecture, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan made contributions for the construction.

3. Relatives of the former President Quirino, Philippine Senate President Franklin Drilon, former Philippine Senate President Edgardo Angara, Mr. Masahiko Komura, Vice President of the Liberal Democratic Party, Mr. Kenji Kosaka, President of the Japan-Philippines Parliamentarians’ Friendship League, Ms. Miki Yamada, Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, and donating groups will participate in the unveiling ceremony.