Controversial Rody a hit in Laos, Japan

VIENTIANE, Laos – It is not only in Japan where President Duterte is being regarded like a rock star but also here in Laos’ largest city and capital where the 28th and 29th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits and Related Summits are being held.

According to Presidential

Communications and Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar, that even in closed-door meetings some foreign delegates eagerly take turns in having their pictures taken with the firebrand Philippine President.

“I saw many of them having photos with our President,” Andanar told reporters covering the summit.

In Japan, President Duterte is on a different realm of popularity as confirmed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during his bilateral meeting with his Philippine counterpart last Tuesday.

Duterte has been a regular fixture on the pages of Japanese newspapers hogging the headlines since he launched his presidential campaign until today.

Socorro “Yuko” Takei, a Filipina freelance journalist who has lived in Japan for many years, said because of President Duterte’s controversial comments and unconventional character, many Japanese label him the “Donald Trump of the Philippines.”

“He is popular here, even more popular after his frequent ‘son of a whore’ jibe on famous international figures,” Takei told Manila Bulletin.

His popularity even soared in Japan, Takei said after his ‘son of a whore’ quip that was mistaken to be a dig at US President Obama.

“Only shows that many Japanese still harbor animosity for the US for humiliating Japan in World War II,” said Takei, apparently referring to the dropping of atomic bombs by American forces at Hiroshima and Nagasaki killing hundreds of thousands to force Japan to surrender.

“Yes, people in Japan admire someone who can put up against America,” she added.

Today, anything about President Duterte is news in Japan, said Takei.