Press Office -
PR#118–2009, December 9, 2009 |
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Japan's National Day Reception at Ambassador's Residence on December 8, 2009
Celebrating the 76 th birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan
and the 20 th Anniversary of His Majesty's Accession to the Throne
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Ambassador Makoto Katsura emphasized in his speech that Japan, as one of the major partners of the Philippines in trade and investment as well as its largest ODA donor, would continue assisting the Philippines' nation building efforts as its strategic partner, while mentioning the entry into force of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) in December 2008. He noted Japan had been and would continue to support the Philippines' reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of the recent typhoons in particular.
The Ambassador expressed that JPEPA started to render wide-ranging benefits to the people of both countries, citing some examples, such as 24% increase in Philippine banana export to Japan after tariff reduction and dispatch of more than 300 Filipino candidates for nurses and caregivers to Japan this year.
On the peace-building efforts in Mindanao, Mr. Katsura, while expressing Japan's commitment to contributing to the peace and stability in the region, said that Japan wholeheartedly welcomed the resumption of official peace talks in the Mindanao Peace Process and emphasized Japan's strong expectation that the parties concerned continue sincere discussions making use of peace process frameworks and reach a final agreement for peace in Mindanao at an early date.
The Ambassador expressed his strong hope that in the Maguindanao Province justice would be done in relation to the massacre and normalcy would return as quickly as possible.
Speech of Ambassador Makoto Katsura
Japanese Version
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