Excellencies, Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Magandang gabi po / sa inyong lahat. / Nagagalak akong / makasama kayong lahat ngayon / sa ating pagtitipon.
Thank you very much for coming this evening. We are celebrating the 59th Anniversary of the Self-Defense Forces.
Our Defense Minister Onodera who had to leave this afternoon sends his best wishes to you. The original schedule was to have the Minister deliver the speech but he had to leave for a Cabinet meeting tomorrow morning. He asked me to tell you that he was very much pleased to have a very good meeting with Secretary Gazmin this morning. They have agreed on most things and decided to further strengthen our cooperation through areas such as disaster relief and personnel exchanges.
Indeed, our relationship based on common values and shared interest is developing continuously. The year 2013 started with Foreign Minister Kishida's visit to Manila on January 9th. Ever since during the last six months we have seen maritime consultations, staff talks, JPEPA talks, the Mindanao Peace Panel, Secretary Del Rosario's visit to Japan, and politico-military talks, among others, take place between us. The depth and width of our exchange is truly worthy of a "strategic partnership" declared during President Aquino's visit to Japan two years ago.
Also, this year we are commemorating the 40th anniversary of Japan-ASEAN friendship. Japan was the first non-member dialogue partner of ASEAN. We are proud of the role we played in the steady development and maturing of ASEAN all through these years. We are celebrating the occasion with various cultural events such as film showing, music concerts, J-pop song competition, and so on. Please come and join us in the fun.
Lastly, I have to announce the departure of Col. Yuki Matsuzaki and Madam, who have been with us for the last three years. They have done a great job and it is sad to see them leave. At the same time, I would like to ask that you kindly extend your friendship and cooperation to our incoming Defense Attaché, Col. Tanaka, and his wife who are present here tonight.
Maraming salamat po at sana ay maging masaya kayo.
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