Home - Press Releases and Speeches - Speeches
2011 Speeches (As delivered)
 

 

REMARKS BY

AMBASSADOR TOSHINAO URABE

 

on the Occasion of the

 

57th Anniversary of the Japan Self-Defense Forces

6 July 2011, 6:30 p.m.

Ambassador's Residence

 

 

Excellencies, Distinguished Guests,

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Thank you very much for coming here this evening. I very much appreciate your presence.

In 1961, Carlos Romulo, a former Foreign Minister and Pulitzer Prize winner, wrote in his book about life in the Philippines. “ All in all, it is a good life we are living, in a good world filled with good friends ."

In fact, I was here in the mid-50s and I also knew the Philippines in the early 70s and 80s . When I came back here this time around, I was just amazed by the stunning development that has taken place in the country. However, I am also happy to note that in the Philippines, life is still good because there are so many good friends.

So I'm a sort of balikbayan . I eagerly look forward to my mission of strengthening our win-win relationship – one in which Japan and my second home, the Philippines, will benefit together.

In fact, I am very happy to note that our relations have been excellent. The recent calamity in Japan was bad news. But it was also good news, in the sense that we reaffirmed the close ties between us. Thanks to such help, the situation in Japan is coming back to normal well in advance. The Chinese Premier and the Korean President visited the stricken area and demonstrated the safety of food products by eating them on the spot. Lady Gaga during her concert in Tokyo called on everyone to visit this beautiful place . Japan is back to business.

Now let me touch upon our self-defense forces. They are also pursuing this win-win relationship. Under UNDOF, the UN peace keeping operation on the Golan Heights, Japanese logistics troops are working under the command of Gen. Natalio Ecarma III of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. In the Gulf of Aden, our maritime forces destroyers and P3C surveillance aircraft are providing security to Filipino seafarers of the international merchant fleet. Our forces are combining to provide common good to our global community.

To conclude, let me say again how much I appreciate having my friends here . And that, I am counting on you, for your support in the pursuit of my mission as Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines.

 

Maraming salamat po and Mabuhay!