TOKYO/MANILA – Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a 69-year-old native of Chicago, was elected as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on May 8, making history as the first American to assume the papacy. He has taken the name Pope Leo XIV.

TOKYO – In celebration of the 127th anniversary of Philippine Independence on June 12, the Philippine Embassy and the Department of Tourism (DOT) Tokyo Office have once again partnered with Hard Rock Cafe and Tony Roma’s to launch the “Love the Philippines” culinary campaign.

TOKYO – Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise returned to the Land of the Rising Sun for the 25th time to celebrate what he called the “culmination” of a franchise three decades in the making, as “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” held its Japan premiere on May 6.

MANILA – Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila on Monday to bolster bilateral ties, agreeing to deepen defense, economic and regional cooperation as the two countries mark nearly 70 years of diplomatic relations.