Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez calls for perpetual preservation of KudanAmbassador Manuel M. Lopez (AMML) called for the preservation of Kudan, the official residence of Philippine ambassadors to Japan, emphasizing its historic and cultural value as “an integral part of the history of Philippine diplomacy in Japan.”

AMML and spouse Maritess L. Lopez welcomed over 120 dignitaries, including Katsunobo Kato, Ministerin- charge of Promoting Dynamic Engagement of All Citizens, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoji Muto and artist/musician Yoko Ono, at the launching of History and Heritage of the Kudan, the Official Residence of the Philippine Ambassador to Japan. The book is one of the Philippine projects to commemorate, in 2016, the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan.

AMML said the book aims to raise the awareness and deepen the appreciation of Filipinos and Japanese on the importance of Kudan as the official residence of Philippine ambassadors and as a landmark edifice of Philippine- Japan relations.

The ambassador added that Kudan “continuously provided an indispensable backdrop for the implementation of Philippine foreign policy in relation to Japan.” He also expressed the hope that the book “would add to the efforts made by all who came here before us to preserve this precious property.”

Meanwhile, Ono thanked the Lopezes for the invitation to visit Kudan, saying she had wonderful memories of the house. Kudan was built for Ono’s uncle Iwajiro Yasuda, whose grandfather Zenjiro Yasuda was a prominent businessman and industrialist. It was purchased by the Philippine government in 1944. In 2013, the residence was declared a national historical landmark property by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. (Excerpted from tokyo. philembassy.net).