MANILA- Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio joined world leaders Wednesday night at a banquet hosted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as she represented her father, President Rodrigo Duterte who had to return to the Philippines for a doctor's appointment.

Duterte-Carpio, who initially accompanied her father to Tokyo for the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito, ended up representing the Philippines in Japan after Manila's leader suffered "unbearable" pain in his spine.

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She first subbed for President Duterte at the Emperor's banquet on Tuesday night and again on Wednesday at Abe's dinner party in Tokyo.

Dressed in a blue terno, the eldest daughter of President Duterte rubbed elbows with leaders such as Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-Cha, and Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.

Malacañang on Wednesday thanked Duterte-Carpio for "properly and elegantly" representing the Philippines in Japan.

"The Office of the President wishes to relay its gratitude to Mayor Duterte for stepping up and properly and elegantly representing the country in the President's stead as the latter was constrained to leave Tokyo for Manila earlier that evening," Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

Over 180 state leaders and envoys flew to Japan for the enthronement of the new emperor, Malacañang earlier said.

• Sara Duterte mingles with world leaders in Japan banquet as she subs for dad