Donation of a doll to newly opened Muntinlupa Museum: “Pray for the peace – then President Quirino’s wife Alicia and her three children.”

Ambassador Haneda met with Mr. Jiro Kano, chairperson of the Kano Public Interest Inc. Foundation, and his wife Ms. Kayoko Kano, honorary director of the Kano Museum of Art, on February 28. Ms. Kano’s deep connection to the Philippines can be traced back to her father Mr. Kanrai Kano, who tirelessly appealed to then-President Elpidio Quirino for the grant of amnesty to Japanese soldiers in the aftermath of WW2. During the meeting, Ms. Kano showed Ambassador Haneda and embassy staff the doll, “Pray for peace - Alicia and her three children,” which was made by Ms. Akemi Abe, a Japanese artist.
 
In 1953, then-President Quirino granted amnesty to Japanese soldiers who were imprisoned in Muntinlupa when the war ended. It was an unmistakable gesture of forgiveness, especially since his wife and three children had been killed by Japanese soldiers. This doll is meant to show that President Quirino’s wife and three children had transformed into angels.
 
The doll was presented to the President Elpidio Quirino Foundation from the Kano Public Interest Inc. Foundation, then put on display together with the appeal letter of Mr. Kano at the Muntinlupa Museum, which opened on March 1. In her speech of the opening ceremony of the Muntinlupa Museum, Ms. Kano said that Japanese people must be profoundly grateful for the amnesty grant and never forget its significance. 
 
Link: Unveiling Ceremony of the Memorial to H.E. Elpidio Quirino, Former President of the Republic of the Philippines
https://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/press4e_001181.html