Japan wants RP to address human rights violations

Japan wants the Philippine government to address human rights violations to make the country "suitable’’ for more Japanese financial assistance and investments.

Hiroshige Seko, special adviser to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, said that while reports of human rights violations and corruption in the disbursement of official development assistance had not directly influenced Japan’s aid program, it would still be best for the Philippines to address these issues.

An official said Abe himself told Mrs. Arroyo of the Japanese’ "strong interest’’ in the human rights situation in the Philippines.

He added the Japanese parliament was now paying much attention to how the ODA was being utilized by recipient countries because of Japan’s "very severe budgetary situation."

"We have no intention to (impose) conditions and (link) issues like human rights in the discussion of the ODA. (But) I believe the matter of ODA will be decided from the perspective of how effectively the ODA is utilized within the context of Philippine development," Seko said.

Seko said that aside from the human rights violations and political killings, the Japanese parliament is also concerned with the imposition of tariffs on some ODA projects.

Abe announced yesterday his government’s plans to provide fresh funds for the country after dispatching a mission to Manila as part of the 27th yen loan package for the Pasig-Marikina River Improvement Project.

Abe told President Arroyo that Tokyo would provide 8.5 billion yen ($72.3 million) in loans for a flood damage mitigation project around Manila and was considering further assistance.

In a joint statement issued after their meeting, Abe and Mrs. Arroyo "emphasized the importance of sustaining harmony, upholding democratic values and protecting human rights to the implementation of the official development assistance."

Arroyo’s administration has come under fire for failing to stop political killings, and rights group Amnesty International said in August that her security forces were likely involved in the killings. Mrs. Arroyo denied her administration’s involvement in the killings.

The $72.3 million-project involves riverbank improvement and flood control structures for the entire stretch of the Pasig-Marikina River.

Japan is the largest donor for the Philippines, with the cumulative amount of ODA totaling $17.54 billion. The Philippines is the fourth largest recipient of Japanese ODA following Indonesia, China and India.

Japan is also the second largest trade partner of the Philippines and one of the major investors in the country, with foreign direct investments totaling $551 million last year. — Aurea Calica