The Japanese ambassador on China and us

For more than five decades, I have watched Japan burgeon from the rubble of World War II into the powerful nation that it is today. With its trade and judicious diplomacy, Japan has earned the respect of the world, particularly its Asian neighbors, and, most of all, we Filipinos who suffered so much when our country was plundered for three years by the Japanese Imperial Army.

Much of the hard-earned respect Japan enjoys today was made possible by diplomacy entrusted to a disciplined corps of foreign service officers, among them Toshinao Urabe. The ambassador will leave this month after three years in Manila.

Diplomats come and go, often without a trace. But a few leave an indelible imprint, not so much because they represent a great nation, but because they diligently get to know a country and people and work well beyond the official call of duty. They are dedicated not just in their foreign posting but also, for the Japanese foreign-service officers, in Japan itself. I was once at the Foreign Correspondents Club in Tokyo with the Dutch journalist Karel Von Wolferen. We had finished dinner — it was 10. I noticed the lights still burning bright in a nearby building. Karel said, “That is Gaimusho — the diplomats are still working.” Ambassador Urabe belongs to this breed.

The ambassador has made his career. After finishing law at Hitotsubashi University in 1974, he immediately joined the Japanese Foreign Service. He rose from the ranks. He was first posted abroad in Australia, then Thailand, the United States, the Republic of Korea and France. His first ambassadorial position was in Ireland in 2007, and his second, in the Philippines in 2011. His English is impeccable, which explains part of his smooth sailing in choppy Philippine waters. He is here at a time when the P-Noy government has achieved significant economic growth and a political development that is, perhaps, much too close for Filipinos themselves to understand and appreciate: a former president and three senators are in jail. He is also here at a time when Japan has become an active and honest broker in our ancient Moro problem.

Ambassador Urabe was in Manila as a boy when his father, also a diplomat, was stationed here. His wife, Etsuko, is an accomplished ceramics artist. The couple has a son and daughter.

Last week, when I learned of his impending departure, I asked him a few questions that impinge on our relationship with Japan and his country’s new and pivotal role in the stability of the region. Here are his answers.

PHILIPPINE STAR: China is using history — its being occupied by imperial Japanese troops in World War II — to galvanize its people and stoke their anti-Japanese sentiment. What is Japan’s reaction to this?

AMBASSADOR TOSHINAO URABE: Buddha said, “Hatred does not cease by hatred, but by love.” After the war, we did not promote anti-sentiments against any country. Japan and the Philippines are now strategic partners for peace and prosperity. Goodwill from many people of both sides contributed to this future-oriented relationship. We only wish that China would follow the same path as the Philippines.

Like the United States, Japan has huge investments in China. Aren’t these investments being jeopardized by China’s aggressive attitude?

Japanese policy is to create a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests with China. Our intention is clearly stated in the Joint Statement between Japan and China in 2008. China remains an important partner for us.

I do not think that for all its angry rhetoric, China intends to go to war against Japan or the United States. I am not discounting its “limited” action towards my country in the same way it attacked Vietnam in the recent past. Am I right in making this assumption?

I agree. At the same time constant efforts are required to avoid unwarranted conflict. The global community must speak as one that nations must adhere to three principles: 1) explain their claims based on international law; 2) do not use force or coercion; and 3) settle disputes by peaceful means. This is what Prime Minister Abe said in the Shangri-La dialogue this May.

Can you tell us more about your assistance to my country vis-à-vis our need to protect our territory from Chinese incursion?

Security through balance of power is not the fundamental solution. The lesson of our history is as written in the Preamble of the UN Charter. “In order to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war,” it is important to “respect obligations arising from international law.”

Promoting the rule of law is the path we should pursue for the security of, not only the Philippines, but our global community. International law was not created by a particular country. It is a common rule accumulated in the history of mankind, going back to the days of ancient Greece.

Will Prime Minister Abe succeed in revamping your Constitution to enable you to have more flexibility in keeping the Asian region peaceful and stable?

Mr. Abe is trying to be proactive in keeping peace by measures within the Constitution. In fact, the July 1st Cabinet Decision has clarified that Japan can contribute more proactively to the peace and stability of the Asian region under the existing Constitution. In that sense the answer is affirmative, but it is not the intention of PM Abe nor the people of Japan to alter the pacifist principle of the Constitution. The majority of Japanese are pacifist and Japan has a solid democratic institution to reflect public opinion.

I find Japan a far more honest broker than Malaysia in our age-old problem with our Moros. What is your most important interest in achieving peace in Mindanao?

The firm belief is that if there is peace with the Moros in Mindanao, there can be peace in the Philippines, and if there is peace in the Philippines, there can be peace in the region. That is our most important interest in the peace process.

We can learn more from Japan than from any of the western countries, including the United States. Is there a chance that Japan will accept more scholars from the Philippines?

Certainly, we are sustaining the existing scholarship programs for the Philippines. In recent years, Filipino application for the Monbukagakusho or the Japanese government scholarship program was on a downward trend. The good news is that this year, Filipino application for scholarship in Japan has more than doubled. If this continues, I am certain that there will be more scholarship for Filipinos. In fact, Japan is expanding youth exchange such as JENESYS 2.0 (Japan–East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youth) and SSEAYP (Ship for Southeast Asian Youth), and the newest JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) program.

You were in the Philippines as a child; what are your sharpest memories of the place at the time?

Being a child, I don’t quite remember much. What I remember is that Manila was a green and shady place with big trees, and during siesta I woke up because of the deafening sound of sudden rainstorms hitting the galvanized iron roof.

You have been here for three years. In this span of time are there, in your observation, important changes? Economically, politically?

Certainly, there has been renewed mutual interest between Japan and the Philippines. The exchange of political leadership and businesspeople has expanded notably during my tenure. Many Japanese firms have started operation in the fields of manufacturing, retail, and restaurants. Politically, our leaders have had reciprocated visits and the frequency of cabinet ministers meeting has increased notably. Thanks to many factors not of my doing, I am convinced that our strategic partnership has consolidated during my watch.

A Japanese company, in partnership with the Aboitizes of Cebu, is building ships in Cebu. We need fast patrol boats. Is there a way by which this Japanese firm in Cebu can build them if our government wants?

We will appreciate, too, the transfer of technology. In all Japanese investments, there is a degree of technology transfer. The shipbuilders in Cebu are doing so as we speak. As for the order of specific boats, it depends on the Filipino government’s policy, availability of resources, capacity of the shipyard, and economic efficiency of such a project.

The US Army ordinance intelligence called your Nambu machine gun the best in World War II. We are already engaged in the manufacture of small arms. If requested, do you think Japan will help us in arms manufacture?

You may be referring to the new three principles on overseas transfer of defense equipment and technology in accordance with our National Security Strategy, which replaces the “Three Principles on Arms Exports” in existence since 1967. In the past, weapons, which were defined as almost anything that the military used, were banned for export in order not to enhance armed conflict. Including helmets, which do not destroy human lives or material things. Also small arms carried by our Self Defense Force in a PKO operation went under scrutiny.

The new policy is to allow export of equipment and technology that will not enhance armed conflict on a case-by-case basis. Since it is on a case-by-case basis, I can’t answer in general terms. It depends on specific conditions and circumstances.

The best Japanese meal my wife and I ever had was dinner in your residence. Are there Japanese restaurants in Manila that, you feel, come close to the abilities of your chef? Please name them.

Since I have the best Japanese food in the residence, I don’t go out to eat Japanese food. You are asking the wrong person.

Which parts of the country have you visited and like best, and for what reason?

It depends on the reason. If you want to enjoy the white beaches and luxurious resorts I would say Boracay, like everyone else. If you want to see a beautiful volcano, go to Legazpi, Albay. If you want to enjoy a cool and mountainous climate, I would choose Baguio. Bukidnon also impressed me with its cool weather and the vast open scenery of pineapple culture. So there are many places I like, but for various reasons.

I know it will be most difficult for us to achieve the tourist allure of Japan. What particular aspect of my country do you think we should develop as a tourist attraction?

As for my personal taste I would choose nature, in particular, maritime tourism, scuba diving and the beaches. There are many other tourist attractions. However, it has to be accessible. Tourists are a demanding lot and always in a hurry to make the best use of their holiday. If there are many routes for tourists to go from Manila to tourist attractions in the most convenient and cost-effective way, there will be lots and lots of opportunities.

Any last word to your Pinoy friends and to us in general?

I shall return. I really enjoyed my stay in the country thanks to the cheerful character of Filipinos. Keep it up and your future will be bright.