Japan-Philippines Relations
Japan-Philippines Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
August 11, 2016
On August 11, commencing at 12:10 p.m. (local time) for approximately one hour and 25 minutes, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a working lunch with H. E. Mr. Perfecto R. Yasay, Foreign Affairs Secretary, the Republic of the Philippines, in Davao, the Philippines, which Minister Kishida is currently visiting. The overview of the meeting is as follows. The working lunch was also attended on the Philippines side by H. E. Mr. Carlos G. Dominguez, Secretary of Finance, and H. E. Mr. Ernesto Pernia, Director-General, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
1 Opening remarks
Secretary Yasay welcomed this visit by his friend Minister Kishida and stated that it is deeply significant and he is grateful that Minister Kishida is visiting the Philippines on his first official visit since being reappointed as Minister for Foreign Affairs. Secretary Yasay noted that Minister Kishida is the first Minister for Foreign Affairs to visit Davao, explained that the majority of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) provided to the Philippines is from Japan, and expressed his gratitude for Japan's cooperation. Secretary Yasay explained that he is happy that this visit serves as an opportunity for advancing and strengthening the relationship between the two countries.
In response, Minister Kishida once again expressed his congratulations on the launch of the Philippines' new Duterte administration, and offered his heartfelt congratulations for the silver medal the Philippines won for women's weightlifting at the Rio Olympics, its first Olympic medal in 20 years. In addition, Minister Kishida explained that the Philippines is the first country he visited as Minister for Foreign Affairs, which is a testament to the importance that Japan places on the country. Minister Kishida said he is honored to be able to visit the Philippines for the third time, following the visit in November last year, and feels overjoyed to be able to meet Secretary Yasay again immediately after meeting him for the first time at the ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers' Meetings in Laos. Furthermore, Minister Kishida noted that this year is the 60th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-Philippines relations, and on the basis of the "strategic partnership" he intends to further advance the relationship of cooperation between the two countries, which share fundamental values and many strategic interests.
In response, Minister Kishida once again expressed his congratulations on the launch of the Philippines' new Duterte administration, and offered his heartfelt congratulations for the silver medal the Philippines won for women's weightlifting at the Rio Olympics, its first Olympic medal in 20 years. In addition, Minister Kishida explained that the Philippines is the first country he visited as Minister for Foreign Affairs, which is a testament to the importance that Japan places on the country. Minister Kishida said he is honored to be able to visit the Philippines for the third time, following the visit in November last year, and feels overjoyed to be able to meet Secretary Yasay again immediately after meeting him for the first time at the ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers' Meetings in Laos. Furthermore, Minister Kishida noted that this year is the 60th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-Philippines relations, and on the basis of the "strategic partnership" he intends to further advance the relationship of cooperation between the two countries, which share fundamental values and many strategic interests.
2 Bilateral relations
(1) Mutual visits by VIPs and cooperation on the maritime security front
Secretary Yasay expressed the view that mutual VIP visits between the two countries will take on added importance accompanying the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-Philippines relations this year, and explained he is overjoyed that Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visited the Philippines, which is still a fresh memory, and that Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, visited for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in November last year. Secretary Yasay also stated that he is happy that the Philippines won a medal at the Olympics.Minister Kishida stated that he hopes to have frequent and high-level exchanges this year, the 60th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-Philippines relations, and hopes that H.E. Mr. Rodrigo Duterte, President of the Philippines, and Secretary Yasay will visit Japan soon. Minister Kishida explained that in order to enhance the Philippines' capacity in the maritime security fields, patrol boats that Japan assisted with are scheduled to arrive sequentially in Manila from the end of this month, and stated that he hopes to promote cooperation between the countries' defense authorities also, including through leasing the Maritime Self-Defense Forces (MSDF)'s TC-90 training aircraft.
In response, Secretary Yasay expressed his gratitude for Japan's support with strengthening the Philippines' maritime security capabilities.
(2) Mindanao support and peace, and counterterrorism
Minister Kishida explained that Japan is prepared to provide focused support for Mindanao, and continues to support the Mindanao Peace Process. Japan hopes that the new administration's Roadmap to Peace will be steadily implemented, and also intends to advance support through ODA, such as the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD). Minister Kishida also explained that Japan hopes to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation, which is a priority area for the new Duterte administration.(3) Development of infrastructure and the business environment, and the recovery of the remains of the war dead
Secretary Yasay stated that he intends to advance projects between the Philippines and Japan, including in the infrastructure field, and for that reason decided to have Secretary Dominguez and Director-General Pernia attend the meeting also.Minister Kishida expressed support for economic growth under the new Duterte administration, including infrastructure development through the utilization of ODA, and explained that particularly where the infrastructure of Metro Manila is concerned, Japan welcomes progress with the approximately 240 billion yen railway project between Malolos and Tutuban (the yen loan North-South Commuter Railway Project), and intends to cooperate on realizing the Manila subway project. Minister Kishida also said that Japan intends to contribute to the economic growth of the Philippines by encouraging Japanese companies to invest and set up businesses there, and toward that end, Japan hopes the business environment in the Philippines will be improved by resolving the specific problems that exist. Minister Kishida stated that he hopes to achieve the early enactment of the Agreement between Japan and the Philippines on Social Security.
In addition, Minister Kishida explained that he intends to recommence efforts to collect the remains of the war dead in the Philippines soon, and hopes to sign a memorandum of cooperation for that promptly.
Secretary Dominguez expressed deep gratitude for the significant support extended by Japan and Japanese citizens, and Director-General Pernia explained that Japan accounts for 35% of the ODA provided to the Philippines and is the Philippines' biggest donor country.
3 Regional affairs
The two sides exchanged views on matters of common interest in the region and the international community, and in particular the importance of the rule of law with regard to the South China Sea, and they confirmed they will strengthen cooperative relations in order to peacefully resolve the dispute, based on the recent award in the arbitration between the Philippines and China.
Additionally, Minister Kishida and Secretary Yasay exchanged views on ASEAN and the situation in North Korea. Minister Kishida noted that the Philippines will serve as the ASEAN chair country next year, the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN, and expressed Japan's intention to work closely with the Philippines in order to provide the utmost support and cooperation.
Additionally, Minister Kishida and Secretary Yasay exchanged views on ASEAN and the situation in North Korea. Minister Kishida noted that the Philippines will serve as the ASEAN chair country next year, the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN, and expressed Japan's intention to work closely with the Philippines in order to provide the utmost support and cooperation.
(Note 1) J-BIRD (Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development)
A project for intensively implementing economic cooperation initiatives such as Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects for former conflict-affected areas.
(Note 2) Yen Loan North-South Commuter Railway Project
A yen loan project (amounting to approximately 242 billion yen) for newly preparing (laying railway tracks, procuring carriages, etc.) a section of approximately 38 kilometers from Malolos City in Bulacan Province in the north to Tutuban in the Metro Manila, which forms part of the North-South Railway Project that will link suburbs on the North-South axis of Metro Manila with the metropolitan area. The project aims to strengthen the transport network and ease serious traffic congestion in Metro Manila, and contribute to sustainable development, overcoming vulnerability, and a stable life and production base, through the promotion of investments. The signing of an exchange of notes between the Governments of Japan and the Philippines was held in November 2015.
(Note 3) Agreement between Japan and the Philippines on Social Security
Employees sent from Japan to the Philippines as well as those sent from the Philippines to Japan are currently subject to compulsory coverage under the social security systems of both countries. Under this Agreement, those employees temporarily dispatched for a period of five years or less to the other country will be, in principle, covered only by the pension system of the country from which the employees are dispatched. The Agreement will also enable the establishment of eligibility to receive a pension in each country by totaling the periods of the coverage in both countries. The signing of an exchange of notes between the Governments of Japan and the Philippines was held in November 2015.
A project for intensively implementing economic cooperation initiatives such as Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects for former conflict-affected areas.
(Note 2) Yen Loan North-South Commuter Railway Project
A yen loan project (amounting to approximately 242 billion yen) for newly preparing (laying railway tracks, procuring carriages, etc.) a section of approximately 38 kilometers from Malolos City in Bulacan Province in the north to Tutuban in the Metro Manila, which forms part of the North-South Railway Project that will link suburbs on the North-South axis of Metro Manila with the metropolitan area. The project aims to strengthen the transport network and ease serious traffic congestion in Metro Manila, and contribute to sustainable development, overcoming vulnerability, and a stable life and production base, through the promotion of investments. The signing of an exchange of notes between the Governments of Japan and the Philippines was held in November 2015.
(Note 3) Agreement between Japan and the Philippines on Social Security
Employees sent from Japan to the Philippines as well as those sent from the Philippines to Japan are currently subject to compulsory coverage under the social security systems of both countries. Under this Agreement, those employees temporarily dispatched for a period of five years or less to the other country will be, in principle, covered only by the pension system of the country from which the employees are dispatched. The Agreement will also enable the establishment of eligibility to receive a pension in each country by totaling the periods of the coverage in both countries. The signing of an exchange of notes between the Governments of Japan and the Philippines was held in November 2015.