The then State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Chiaki Takahashi and Ms. Sarah Geronimo.
On August 26-30, 2011 the famous Filipino pop singer Ms. Sarah Geronimo visited Japan to stage a concert in Yokohama city at Kanagawa prefecture, to uplift the spirits of the Filipinos who are currently based there.
The Government of Japan welcomed her endeavors, and on August 29, the then State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Chiaki Takahashi received a courtesy call from Ms. Geronimo. He expressed his sincere gratitude for the support extended by the Filipino people at the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Since the disaster, while there was a decrease in foreign tourists, one the most popular Filipino singers visited Japan, who not only encouraged the Filipino people in Japan, but also conveyed a positive message to the entire world that Japan is a safe place to visit. This fact has been confirmed by then State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Takahashi who said, “Most parts of Japan have not been affected by the disaster at all, and remain ‘open for business and travel.'”
In reply to this, Ms. Geronimo said that this is her third time to visit Japan. “Despite the disaster, Japan supported me, and made my biggest concert successful. When I go back to the Philippines, I would like to send a message to the Filipinos that Japan is a safe country to visit, and encourage them to experience Japan,” Ms. Geronimo said.
After the concert, she visited famous locations in Tokyo such as Ginza, Asakusa and Harajuku for sight-seeing and shopping. Ms. Sarah Geronimo's message can be viewed by clicking on the following links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSUByIHiYHo
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eq/eng/06_video.htm
http://www.youtube.com/embed/G0jewBfUfwc
Sarah with Viva Executive Ms. Maria Concepcion Garcia at the
Asakusa- Sensouji Temple
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Tourists flock to explore the Asakusa- Sensouji Temple
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Sarah at the Meiji- Jingu cleansing water
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Sarah poses in front of the Meiji- Jingu Temple
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Enjoying her shopping at Japan's souvenir store
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Sarah at Japan China Town in Yokohama
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