Ministry of Foreign Affairs
August 24, 2015
G-0861 |
1. The Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines have reached substantial agreement on an Agreement between Japan and the Philippines on Social Security (hereinafter referred to as "Agreement"), as a result of the Second Round of intergovernmental negotiations held on August 20, 2015. Both sides will continue to work on necessary procedures such as finalizing all the terms in the Agreement, aiming for singing within this year (Please refer to Reference 1 below.).
2. Employees sent from Japan to the Philippines as well as those sent from the Philippines to Japan are currently subject to compulsory coverage under the social security systems of both countries.
3. The conclusion of the Agreement will be expected to solve the problem of double payments and further facilitate people-to-people exchanges and economic cooperation between Japan and the Philippines.
[Reference 1]
In the Action Plan for Strengthening of the Strategic Partnership, which is Annex of "Japan-Philippines Joint Declaration: A Strengthened Strategic Partnership for Advancing the Shared Principles and Goals of Peace, Security, and Growth in the Region and Beyond" that was confirmed between leaders in June 2015, a paragraph mentions social security agreement as "Both governments will accelerate negotiations with the objective of signing an Agreement between Japan and the Philippines on Social Security by the end of the year".
[Reference 2]
Before entering into the intergovernmental negotiations, Japan and the Philippines have conducted four exploratory talks as follows.
August 2009: 1st Exploratory Talks (in Manila)
June 2011 : 2nd Exploratory Talks (in Tokyo)
August 2012: 3rd Exploratory Talks (in Manila)
April 2013 : 4th Exploratory Talks (in Tokyo)
September 2013: 1st Intergovernmental Negotiations (in Manila)
(END)
* The foregoing is a provisional translation. The date indicated above denotes the date of issue of the original press release in Japanese.
*For inquiries, please contact the Second Southeast Asia Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Tel. 5501-8000 (ext. 2446).
Japanese Version
