MANILA, Philippines — Japan has expressed that it is anticipating working with the new administration that will take over the Philippines following the elections.
Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa took to Twitter on Wednesday to say that he looks forward to working with the new administration in bringing the ties between his country and the Philippines “to greater heights.”
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Koshikawa also congratulated the Philippines for the conduct of the national elections, calling it an “incredible exercise of democracy.
My sincerest congratulations to the Philippines for its conduct of the 2022 National Elections. Honored to have witnessed first-hand this incredible exercise of democracy. I look forward to working with the new administration in bringing ???????????????? ties to greater heights.
— Ambassador of Japan in the Philippines (@AmbJPNinPH) May 10, 2022
His statement differed from China’s remarks on the Philippine elections, in which the Asian giant directly congratulated the leaders in partial and unofficial results — presumptive president-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his running mate, presumptive vice president-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio.
“China congratulates the Philippines on the smooth presidential election. Our congratulations also go to the leading candidates,” China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Wednesday.
After initially holding back on congratulating Marcos, the United States, through State Department Secretary Antony Blinken, greeted him “on his election as the Philippines’ next president.”
In a commentary, Fitch Solutions said Marcos “will likely continue the country’s economic interests and maintain a delicate balancing act with the US and China.” — Xave Gregorio