‘Sleepless’ Japanese envoy gets award

The ambassador of Japan who once complained of sleepless nights because of criminality and other security threats in the country was conferred yesterday the Philippines’ highest award in the diplomatic service.

Japanese Ambassador Kojiro Takano, who is ending his tour of duty in Manila, was given the Sikatuna Award, with the rank of datu, by President Arroyo yesterday in ceremonies at Malacañang.

The President was assisted by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo as she pinned the sash and medal and handed over the plaque of recognition to Takano.

Takano made his controversial remarks during a breakfast forum of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) on May 30 last year at the Mandarin Hotel in Makati City.

At the FOCAP forum, Takano complained of having spent "sleepless nights" since being posted in the country because of the "daily threat" and "constant danger" due to crimes and the general concern of Japanese businessmen about conflicting policies and the budget deficit of the Manila government.

The Japanese ambassador immediately made both his personal and formal apology to the DFA for his controversial comments on the prevailing peace and order situation in the Philippines.

Nonetheless, the Philippine government, through the DFA then headed by the late secretary Blas Ople, proceeded to file the diplomatic protest against him before the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mrs. Arroyo herself strongly refuted Takano’s criticisms, saying they were "exaggerated and unfair," shortly before she embarked on a working visit to Japan on June 4 to 6 last year.

While the President had apparently been stung by Takano’s "sleepless comment," she however acknowledged yesterday the contributions of the Japanese envoy to repair the damage done even as the Philippines took the criticism as a challenge to do better in its anti-crime campaign and implement structural reforms to attract investors.

Takano can now sleep better as he leaves Manila for Tokyo at the end of his tour of duty here. — Marichu Villanueva