Japanese ambassador arrives in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Japan’s new ambassador to the Philippines arrived in Manila yesterday with a commitment to further enhance the bilateral relations of the two countries through continued cooperation in key areas of mutual interest.

Kazuhide Ishikawa, ambassador-designate of Japan, succeeds Ambassador Toshinao Urabe.

“It is with great honor that I receive my first assignment as ambassador here in the Philippines. As previous director-general of the Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, I am fully aware of the strategic importance of the Philippines in this region,” Ishikawa said in a statement upon his arrival.

“As I take on the role of Japanese ambassador to the Philippines, I hope to make significant contributions that would further strengthen the bilateral relations between our two countries, adding to the legacy of friendship and cooperation arduously achieved by those who have come before me,” he added.

He also said the relationship between Japan and the Philippines has evolved a lot through the years, possibly because the two countries share many common attributes such as democracy and free market principles.

“At present, we are enjoying successful strategic partnership under the governance of President Aquino and Prime Minister Abe,” Ishikawa added.

Currently, Japan is the largest donor of official development assistance (ODA) to the Philippines.

The partnership of the two countries also manifests in the heightened support in regional security and maritime safety, enhanced trade and investment relations taking advantage of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), and continuous support in the peace process in Mindanao.