Press Office -
PR#57–2009, July 09, 2009 |
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55th Anniversary of the Japan Self-Defense Forces
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Ambassador Makoto Katsura (second from right), AFP chief of staff Gen. Victor Ibrado (extreme right), Defense Undersecretary Antonio Santos (second from left) and Japan's Defense Attaché to the Philippines Col. Takahashi (extreme left), raise glasses to the continued cooperation for the Japan-Philippines strategic partnership.
Japanese Ambassador Makoto Katsura hosted a reception at his residence to celebrate the 55th Japan Self-Defense Forces Day on July 8, 2009. Philippine defense and military officials led by General Victor Ibrado, Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Defense Undersecretary Antonio Santos, graced the occasion. Also present were members of the Diplomatic Corps and the Foreign Defense Attachés Corps.
Before proposing a toast to the continued cooperation between Japan and Philippines, the Ambassador delivered a short speech emphasizing the recent agreement between President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Prime Minister Taro Aso to further expand and strengthen bilateral relations to ‘foster a strategic partnership for the future' and also explaining the security policy of Japan and its security cooperation with the Philippines.
Speech of Ambassador Makoto Katsura
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