GOVPH

Philippine Embassy in Japan Hosts Diplomatic Reception in Commemoration of the 124th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence

13 June 2022 – The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, Japan commemorated the 124th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with a diplomatic reception held on 10 June 2022 at the historic Imperial Hotel in Tokyo.

There were around 300 attendees, including members of the diplomatic corps, Japanese Government officials, business executives and Embassy personnel. This was the first in-person diplomatic reception of the Embassy since 2019. The event featured the Philippines’ history, heritage, culture, products and destinations.

The theme of this year’s Philippine Independence Day celebration is “Kalayaan 2022: Pagsuong sa Hamon ng Panibagong Bukas” or Rise Towards the Challenge of a New Beginning.

In his remarks, Ambassador Jose C. Laurel V thanked the Government of Japan for their continued support for the well-being of more than 300,000 Filipinos currently living and working in Japan. He also expressed his appreciation to the captains of Japanese industry for their continued engagement in the Philippines. Ambassador Laurel shared that even amidst the pandemic, Japanese investments to the Philippines had an astounding average annual growth from the period 2016 -2019 to 2020 – 2021 of 45.2%. The Philippines needs to sustain this momentum through deeper and broader cooperation with its Japanese partners.

The reception was made even more special by the attendance of officials such as the Guest of Honor, the Honorable Kiyoshi Odawara, State Minister for Foreign Affairs. Also in attendance among all the distinguished guests were Hon. Seiko Noda, Minister of State for Special Missions, Hon. Hirofumi Ryu, Chief Secretary of the Japan – Philippines Parliamentary Friendship League (JPPFL) and Ambassador Manlio Cadelo, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.

PHL Ambassador to Japan, H.E. Mr. Jose C. Laurel V (left) with Hon. Kiyoshi Odawara, State Minister for Foreign Affairs (right)

State Minister Odawara came straight to the reception from his recent trip to the U.S. in which Japan secured a non-permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council. In his speech, State Minister Odawara recalled attending a meeting with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in 2016. And how after six years, Japan-Philippines relations were navigated into their “Golden Age” with achievements in fields such as infrastructure-related cooperation, security cooperation and human resource development. He stated that the Japanese Government will continue to deepen the bilateral cooperation with the incoming administration in the Philippines toward a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” State Minister Odawara also expressed his sincere gratitude to Ambassador Laurel “for having facilitated such magnificent achievements during his five-year tour, as well as years of devotion by the entire Laurel Family for the friendship between our two nations.”

Other highlights of the reception include the exhibit area prepared by the various Philippine government agencies represented in Japan – Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center, and the Department of Tourism. Some of the products showcased include Barako coffee made of Liberica Beans and highland bananas. Filipino food like the famous adobo, pansit, kaldereta or beef stew, lumpia, and turon formed part of the buffet.

And, as a second part of the program, there was music, songs, and dances by talented artists, both Filipino and Japanese, who all have a common interest of sharing Philippine culture here in Japan. The performers include Ms. Gow, Ms. Beverly, Philippine Cultural Dance Troupe of the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, and the Pinoy Rondalla Tokyo. Through the reception, the guests enjoyed the various tastes, sights and sounds that the Philippines has to offer.

PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT TO WORK WITH JAPANESE BUSINESSES TO ENSURE SUSTAINABILITY OF PHILIPPINE BANANA SUPPLY

8 June 2022 – The Philippine Government, in cooperation with the Philippine banana industry and Japanese importers and retailers are currently looking into mutually-beneficial ways to ensure the sustainability of the production and supply of Philippine bananas to the Japanese market and promote the welfare of Filipino farmers.

In a press conference held today at the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, Embassy officials urged the Japanese business sector and the public to consider the upcoming adjustment in the retail price of bananas as an investment in the sustainable future of the Philippine banana industry, specifically the farmers.

In his message during the press conference, Philippine Ambassador to Japan, H.E. Jose C. Laurel V, referred to a “historical milestone in the making for Philippine banana presence in Japan.”  He emphasized that, “It will be the first time that the Philippine government, working hand in hand with the banana industry for the benefit of its farmers and their dependents, will plead with representatives of the Japanese government, private sector, media and civil society for the sustainability of Philippine bananas in Japan.”

The Philippines is the biggest supplier of Cavendish bananas to Japan, currently holding 76 per cent of the market share. This is in large part a result of the high quality of Philippine bananas, the long tradition of partnership between the two countries, the proximity of the Philippines to Japan, and the Philippine banana industry’s consistent adherence to Japanese quality standards and market expectations. Sourcing from the Philippines also adheres to sustainability development goals and (SDGs) and corporate social responsibility.

However, external factors, such as the significant rise in the cost of production and disruptions in the supply chain due to the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions have had a considerable impact on the farmers. A price increase will go a long way in helping the banana industry, and the farmers in particular, cope with these challenges. This, in turn would ensure that high-quality Philippine bananas will continue to be available for the Japanese consumers to enjoy.

Philippine banana farmers which look at Japan as an important market are grateful for the opportunity accorded them in making known their plight known and look forward to a hopeful future towards producing and marketing sustainable Philippine bananas in Japan.

BRP Mechora Aquino’s Maiden Voyage From Japan to Manila

Colonel Randy Espino, Defense Attaché, and Mr. Mahabsar B. Lucman, Assistant for Political Affairs, represented the Embassy at the sail-off ceremony for BRP MELCHORA AQUINO, Mitsubishi Shipyard in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, 27 May 2022.

Yamaguchi, Prefecture – BRP MELCHORA AQUINO, second of the two 97-Meter Multi-Role Response Vessel (MRRV) made in Japan for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), sailed off on its maiden voyage from Japan to Manila on 27 May 2022. The MRRV, also known as MRRV-9702, is expected to arrive at the Port of Manila on 01 June 2022.

The Philippine Embassy joined the visiting delegation from the Philippines led by Admiral George Ursabia, Undersecretary for Maritime of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and Admiral Artemio Abu, Commandant of PCG, in sending off MRRV-9702 at a ceremony held in Mitsubishi Shipyard in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture.

Colonel Randy Espino, Defense Attaché, and Mr. Mahabsar B. Lucman, Assistant for Political Affairs, represented the Embassy at the sail-off ceremony for BRP MELCHORA AQUINO, Mitsubishi Shipyard in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture on 27 May 2022.

“The ship symbolizes the strong partnership between the Philippines and Japan”, said PCG Commandant Abu in his remarks during the sail-off ceremony. He thanked the Government of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the realization of the project. He added that the ship will serve as an instrument in promoting the rule of law at sea and in enhancing amity among neighboring nations in the region.

Attending the ceremony on behalf of Secretary of Transportation Arthur Tugade, Undersecretary Ursabia expressed his confidence that the PCG will take care of the vessel as “many lives depend on it”. He hopes that the PCG will utilize the prime features of the MRRV in “safeguarding the country’s maritime resources and in ensuring the observance of the rule of law in the country’s maritime jurisdiction”.

BRP Melchora Aquino sailed-off Mitsubishi Shipyard in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, to Manila on 27 May 2022 for its turnover to the Philippine Government. BRP Melchora Aquino is the second of the two 97-Meter Multi-Role Response Vessel (MRRV) procured by the Philippine Coast Guard from Japan.

The acquisition of MRRV-9702 is part of the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project (MSCIP) Phase II for the PCG.