Outcomes of the Visit to the Republic of the Philippines by State Minister for Foreign Affairs TSUGE Yoshifumi
2024/8/30
From August 19th to the 21st, State Minister for Foreign Affairs TSUGE Yoshifumi visited the Republic of the Philippines. A summary of his visit is as follows:
1 Courtesy call on Hon. Enrique A. Manalo, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines
On August 20th, State Minister Tsuge paid a courtesy call on Hon. Enrique A. Manalo, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines.
State Minister Tsuge expressed his delight at the progress achieved in concrete cooperation between the two countries across various fields, including the 2nd Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting (“2+2”) held last month. He expressed desire to further strengthen bilateral ties in anticipation of the 70th Anniversary of the Normalization of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and the Philippines in 2026. Additionally, State Minister Tsuge also mentioned his attendance at the “Symposium Commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the Conclusion of the Bangsamoro Comprehensive Peace Agreement” held in Tokyo recently. He was deeply moved by the establishment of an autonomous government scheduled for next year, and reiterated Japan’s commitment to supporting peace in Mindanao.
In response, Secretary Manalo welcomed State Minister Tsuge's visit to the Philippines and expressed his appreciation for the progress made in bilateral cooperation in a wide range of fields. He also expressed his gratitude for Japan's longstanding support for the peace process in Mindanao and expressed a desire to further strengthen bilateral relations in various fields in the future.
The two officials candidly discussed bilateral relations and regional and international affairs. They affirmed that as maritime nations sharing the same fundamental values and principles, both countries would strengthen their partnership to uphold and promote a free and open international rules-based order for peace and stability in the region.
2 Attendance at a send-off reception for Japanese Government Scholarship students and exchange of opinions with Japanese Government Scholarship alumni
(1) On August 21st, State Minister Tsuge attended a send-off reception for Filipino MEXT scholarship students scheduled to depart for Japan in the fall. In his speech, he expressed his heartfelt encouragement to the students, who are actively seeking to understand and experience contemporary Japan firsthand, even in an era where vast amounts of global information are readily accessible. He emphasized the importance of their success for the continued strong partnership between Japan and the Philippines. Additionally, he highlighted the significant growth of people-to-people exchanges between Japan and the Philippines through educational opportunities. He expressed hope that these exchanges would foster lasting personal connections among many people in both countries, especially those who have studied in Japan. State Minister Tsuge encouraged the scholars to cherish these relationships, strengthen their bonds with friends, and have a fulfilling study-abroad experience.
(2) State Minister Tsuge also took this opportunity to meet with Mr. Domingo Go, President of the Philippine Federation of Japan Alumni, Inc. (PHILFEJA), and Mr. Philip Sanvictores, former PHILFEJA President, whom he interacted with in June 2024 at a symposium organized by the ASEAN Council of Former Students from Japan (ASCOJA) in Cambodia. They were pleased to see each other again and exchanged views on the further promotion of study-abroad exchanges between Japan and the Philippines, as well as the further revitalization of people-to-people exchange through exchanges with former scholars from ASEAN, including the Philippines.
(3) Furthermore, State Minister Tsuge had a cordial meeting with representatives of the incoming government-sponsored students, listening to their expectations for studying in Japan. He encouraged them to cherish human connections during their time in Japan and to have a fulfilling study-abroad experience. Executives from the Philippine Association of Japanese Government Scholars (PHILAJAMES) also attended the meeting. State Minister Tsuge exchanged opinions with these executives about sending excellent government-sponsored students to Japan.
3 Others
(1) Attendance at the Medalist Recognition Event of the Philippine National Team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
On August 19th, at the invitation of the Philippine Senate, State Minister Tsuge attended the Medalist Recognition Event for the Philippine National Team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. He expressed his encouragement and support to the team.
He had a brief conversation with Carlos Yulo, the first Filipino male gymnast to win gold medals in all events (floor exercise and vault) at the men's gymnastics competition. Yulo had trained in Japan for many years.
State Minister Tsuge also exchanged a few words with Japanese-Filipino athlete Kiyomi Watanabe, who competed in the judo event, along with her family. He expressed his hopes for their continued success in the future.
(2) Visit to Manila Light Rapid Transit (LRT) Line 1 rolling stock plant
On August 20th, State Minister Tsuge visited the Manila Light Rapid Transit (LRT) Line 1 rolling stock plant, which the Japanese Government supports through its ODA for expansion projects.
(3) Talks with Japanese Business Representatives
On August 20th, State Minister Tsuge hosted a luncheon meeting and held discussions with officials of Japanese companies that operate in the Philippines. During the meeting, State Minister Tsuge exchanged views on the measures necessary for further improving Japanese companies’ business conditions in the Philippines. In addition, he expressed appreciation to these businessmen who have integrated into the local community in the Philippines, and who help support the steady progress of economic relations between the two countries.
(4) Talks with Philippine Nikkei Organization Members
On August 21st, State Minister Tsuge held a meeting with the members of the Japanese Nikkei organizations in the Philippines. During the meeting, State Minister Tsuge listened to the experiences of the Nikkei-jin in the Philippines and expressed support for their welfare and their future. He also conveyed his appreciation and respect for them, stating that they have supported each other and maintained their Japanese identities amidst the long period of post-war difficulties.
1 Courtesy call on Hon. Enrique A. Manalo, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines
On August 20th, State Minister Tsuge paid a courtesy call on Hon. Enrique A. Manalo, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines.
State Minister Tsuge expressed his delight at the progress achieved in concrete cooperation between the two countries across various fields, including the 2nd Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting (“2+2”) held last month. He expressed desire to further strengthen bilateral ties in anticipation of the 70th Anniversary of the Normalization of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and the Philippines in 2026. Additionally, State Minister Tsuge also mentioned his attendance at the “Symposium Commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the Conclusion of the Bangsamoro Comprehensive Peace Agreement” held in Tokyo recently. He was deeply moved by the establishment of an autonomous government scheduled for next year, and reiterated Japan’s commitment to supporting peace in Mindanao.
In response, Secretary Manalo welcomed State Minister Tsuge's visit to the Philippines and expressed his appreciation for the progress made in bilateral cooperation in a wide range of fields. He also expressed his gratitude for Japan's longstanding support for the peace process in Mindanao and expressed a desire to further strengthen bilateral relations in various fields in the future.
The two officials candidly discussed bilateral relations and regional and international affairs. They affirmed that as maritime nations sharing the same fundamental values and principles, both countries would strengthen their partnership to uphold and promote a free and open international rules-based order for peace and stability in the region.
2 Attendance at a send-off reception for Japanese Government Scholarship students and exchange of opinions with Japanese Government Scholarship alumni
(1) On August 21st, State Minister Tsuge attended a send-off reception for Filipino MEXT scholarship students scheduled to depart for Japan in the fall. In his speech, he expressed his heartfelt encouragement to the students, who are actively seeking to understand and experience contemporary Japan firsthand, even in an era where vast amounts of global information are readily accessible. He emphasized the importance of their success for the continued strong partnership between Japan and the Philippines. Additionally, he highlighted the significant growth of people-to-people exchanges between Japan and the Philippines through educational opportunities. He expressed hope that these exchanges would foster lasting personal connections among many people in both countries, especially those who have studied in Japan. State Minister Tsuge encouraged the scholars to cherish these relationships, strengthen their bonds with friends, and have a fulfilling study-abroad experience.
(2) State Minister Tsuge also took this opportunity to meet with Mr. Domingo Go, President of the Philippine Federation of Japan Alumni, Inc. (PHILFEJA), and Mr. Philip Sanvictores, former PHILFEJA President, whom he interacted with in June 2024 at a symposium organized by the ASEAN Council of Former Students from Japan (ASCOJA) in Cambodia. They were pleased to see each other again and exchanged views on the further promotion of study-abroad exchanges between Japan and the Philippines, as well as the further revitalization of people-to-people exchange through exchanges with former scholars from ASEAN, including the Philippines.
(3) Furthermore, State Minister Tsuge had a cordial meeting with representatives of the incoming government-sponsored students, listening to their expectations for studying in Japan. He encouraged them to cherish human connections during their time in Japan and to have a fulfilling study-abroad experience. Executives from the Philippine Association of Japanese Government Scholars (PHILAJAMES) also attended the meeting. State Minister Tsuge exchanged opinions with these executives about sending excellent government-sponsored students to Japan.
3 Others
(1) Attendance at the Medalist Recognition Event of the Philippine National Team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
On August 19th, at the invitation of the Philippine Senate, State Minister Tsuge attended the Medalist Recognition Event for the Philippine National Team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. He expressed his encouragement and support to the team.
He had a brief conversation with Carlos Yulo, the first Filipino male gymnast to win gold medals in all events (floor exercise and vault) at the men's gymnastics competition. Yulo had trained in Japan for many years.
State Minister Tsuge also exchanged a few words with Japanese-Filipino athlete Kiyomi Watanabe, who competed in the judo event, along with her family. He expressed his hopes for their continued success in the future.
(2) Visit to Manila Light Rapid Transit (LRT) Line 1 rolling stock plant
On August 20th, State Minister Tsuge visited the Manila Light Rapid Transit (LRT) Line 1 rolling stock plant, which the Japanese Government supports through its ODA for expansion projects.
(3) Talks with Japanese Business Representatives
On August 20th, State Minister Tsuge hosted a luncheon meeting and held discussions with officials of Japanese companies that operate in the Philippines. During the meeting, State Minister Tsuge exchanged views on the measures necessary for further improving Japanese companies’ business conditions in the Philippines. In addition, he expressed appreciation to these businessmen who have integrated into the local community in the Philippines, and who help support the steady progress of economic relations between the two countries.
(4) Talks with Philippine Nikkei Organization Members
On August 21st, State Minister Tsuge held a meeting with the members of the Japanese Nikkei organizations in the Philippines. During the meeting, State Minister Tsuge listened to the experiences of the Nikkei-jin in the Philippines and expressed support for their welfare and their future. He also conveyed his appreciation and respect for them, stating that they have supported each other and maintained their Japanese identities amidst the long period of post-war difficulties.