President Marcos praises outgoing Japan ambassador

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has lauded outgoing Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa for bringing relations between the Philippines and Japan to a higher level.

The President said the two countries have entered a new phase in their relationship in the areas of defense and security, trade and investment, infrastructure development, as well as advancing peace in Mindanao.

“It used to be just economic and trade, but in terms of security and defense, also that,” Marcos said during Koshikawa’s farewell call at Malacañang on Friday.

He also thanked the envoy for Japan’s support to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

“And I’m glad that you mentioned the assistance that Japan has given to the BARMM. It has been very critical because, as the elections come, it will be the first parliamentary election,” Marcos told Koshikawa.

“On the security side, much has been achieved. We are now talking about the (initiatives) between the United States, Japan and the Philippines, and I think that’s proceeding very well,” the President said, referring to the initiatives of the three countries to strengthen their defense and security cooperation amid growing tensions in the South China Sea.

Marcos also recognized Japan’s contributions in the country’s infrastructure and agriculture sectors.

For his part, Koshikawa said he is leaving his post with Japan and the Philippines entering a new chapter in their relations.

He said the two nations also maintained a robust Strategic Partnership, and have witnessed laying down the groundwork for trilateral cooperation with the US.

During Koshikawa’s term, the two nations further deepened their defense and security cooperation through the existing dialogue mechanisms and witnessed the conclusion of the Official Security Assistance, through brand new Coastal Radar Systems.

The two countries have also commenced the negotiations on the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), which Malacañang said is expected to be concluded in the near future.

The RAA is expected to boost maritime cooperation between the two countries.

“And, furthermore, maintaining a maritime order based on the rule of law is the most important common objective of most countries,” the Japanese ambassador said.

He said Japan would continue to support the Mindanao peace process, particularly the BARMM election scheduled next year. — Michael Punongbayan