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2010 PRESS RELEASE

Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC)
EMBASSY OF JAPAN
2627 Roxas Boulevard, 1300 Pasay City, Philippines
Phone:  551-5710 Ext. 2314/2316 Fax: 551-5784
E-mail: press@ma.mofa.go.jp

JICC- PR#110–2010, December 10, 2010

 

Japan's National Day Reception at Ambassador's Residence on December 9, 2010

Celebrating the 77th birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan

 

 

 

In this speech, Ambassador Makoto Katsura stated that Japan continued to be the second destination of the Philippines' export in 2009 and that the export of tropical products to Japan had increased greatly after the entry into force of JPEPA. The Ambassador noted however that major part of the Philippines' export to Japan consists of electronics and other industrial products assembled by the Japanese investors here in the Philippines. Thus, they contribute to the Philippines' export to Japan, but also to the Philippines' export to other countries. These Foreign Direct Investments from Japan represented 58% of all the FDI the Philippines received from the world in 2009, and Japan became the first source of the Philippine's import from the entire world in 2009, since these Japanese factories import components from Japan.

 

The Ambassador expressed that President Aquino and Prime Minister Kan met in Hanoi in October, and reconfirmed the policy to foster a strategic partnership for the future, as we share fundamental values such as freedom, democracy and respect of human rights.

 

Mr.Katsura emphasized that Japan continues to assist as much as possible the Philippines' nation building efforts as the largest donor of the ODA to the Philippines, and that Japan is ready and eager to improve the implementation of JPEPA in close cooperation with the Philippine Government.

 

On the peace-building efforts in Mindanao, Mr. Katsura welcomed the policy of the Aquino administration to continue to seek peace with MILF through negotiation, and looked forward to the formal resumption of the peace talks in the near future. He announced that Japan had recently decided to extend the tour of duty of two Japanese members of the International Monitoring Team and that Japan continues to assist the Philippines' peace-building efforts in Mindanao.

 

 

 

Speech of Ambassador Makoto Katsura