Press Releases

On July 10, Parliamentary Vice-Minister SHIMADA attended the Commemorative Conference on the 10th Anniversary of the Arbitral Award, held by Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines.
Parliamentary Vice-Minister SHIMADA delivered the speech at the opening remarks. In his speech, he stated that the Arbitral Award marks a crucial milestone concerning the South China Sea, highlighting the importance of the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and expressed that Japan will continue to play a proactive role to maintain and strengthen a maritime order based on the rule of law in coordination with its allies, like-minded countries, and ASEAN member states, based on the core principles of the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” such as freedom, openness, diversity, inclusiveness, and the rule of law.
On the sidelines of the Conference, Parliamentary Vice-Minister SHIMADA also held a meeting with Hon. Maria Theresa Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and exchanged views on the bilateral relations.

On July 9, Parliamentary Vice-Minister SHIMADA held a meeting with Prof. Victor Andres C. Manhit, President of the Stratbase Institute for Strategic and International Studies and exchanged views including on bilateral relations and regional and international situation.

On July 10, Parliamentary Vice-Minister SHIMADA paid a courtesy call on Hon. Sherwin “Win” T. Gatchalian, President of the Senate of the Philippines.
Parliamentary Vice-Minister SHIMADA stated that this year is a memorable, marking the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Philippines, and expressed the desire to further strengthen the bilateral relations with the Philippines in various areas including security and economic cooperation.
Hon. Gatchalian welcomed the visit of Parliamentary Vice-Minister SHIMADA and expressed the desire to further strengthen cooperation with Japan as an important partner.

On July 10, Parliamentary Vice-Minister SHIMADA held a meeting with Hon. Tsuyoshi Anthony G. Horibata, Congressman.
Parliamentary Vice-Minister SHIMADA and Hon. Horibata discussed the current situation and challenges of Japan and the Philippines, as well as parliamentary exchanges.

On July 9, Parliamentary Vice-Minister SHIMADA visited the project site of the North South Commuter Railway, which has been developed by Japan’s Yen loan, and received briefing on the progress of the project.

On July 10, Parliamentary Vice-Minister SHIMADA exchanged views on the current situation and challenges in the Philippines with Japanese business representatives.