TOKYO, Japan (The Adobo Chronicles, Tokyo Bureau) – Chot Reyes will not be able to step into Japan again following the Japanese government’s declaration of the controversial Gilas Pilipinas coach ‘persona non grata.’

The declaration, effective immediately, came in the wake of Reyes’ statement hoping that Japan loses its next game in the ongoing FIBA World Cup in the Philippines.

Reyes made the statement as his way out of criticism lodged against him for his incompetence in coaching the Philippine basketball team. The Philippines has so far lost two our of two games it has played.

The declaration, signed by no less than Emperor Naruhito, cited Reyes for his lack of sportsmanship and for disrespecting Japan, considering that its team is competing fair and square in the host country.

As persona non grata, Reyes is not welcome to visit Japan — not even to coach the Philippine team if ever it plays in a tournament in that country.

The Japanese government said it was unbecoming for the Filipino coach to make such a statement especially in light of his country’s new tourism campaign of “Love the Philippines.”