Japan-Philippines Relations

Minister Kishida explained that he felt honored to visit Davao, which had deep ties with Japan before World War II (WWII), and to be able to meet President Duterte at this location. Minister Kishida congratulated President Duterte on his inauguration as President and expressed his respect for the leadership President Duterte is displaying amid overwhelming trust. Minister Kishida also expressed his gratitude for the contributions that President Duterte made to developing bilateral relations for many years as Mayor of Davao, which is imprinted in the history of the two countries' friendship, along with confirming that under the close partnership the cooperative relationship between the two countries has been developing in a wide range of fields in recent years. Minister Kishida noted that this year is an auspicious occasion as the 60th anniversary of the normalization of the Japan-Philippine relations, and explained that he intends to work together to further develop the bilateral relationship in the future.

In response, President Duterte thanked Minister Kishida for visiting Davao and explained that the bilateral relationship between the Philippines and Japan is continuously developing and economic and trade relations between the two countries has been strengthened.

(1) Japan's cooperation towards the Philippines

Minister Kishida explained that Japan has extended a cumulative total of approximately 3 trillion yen in aid to the Philippines and has been supporting the Philippines through public- and private-sector efforts, including the approximately 1,500 Japanese companies currently operating businesses in the Philippines. Minister Kishida stated that Japan will do as much as it can to support the priority issues President Duterte is setting, such as peace in Mindanao and economic development.

In addition, Minister Kishida expressed his commitment to continue examining and implementing support for Mindanao both on the tangible and intangible fronts, along with explaining that he hopes the "Roadmap to Peace" will be steadily implemented and intends to support the promotion of peace through initiatives such as the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD) that intensively support former conflict-affected areas. Minister Kishida also stated that he intends to pursue cooperation on counterterrorism. 

In response, President Duterte explained that he hopes Minister Kishida understands that the Philippines is grateful for the support extended by Japan and Japanese people, and stated that during his time as Mayor of Davao he was well aware of the support that Japan extended through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and that he is sincerely grateful.

With regard to the two countries' historical ties, President Duterte also noted that Japanese citizens cultivated Manila hemp in Davao, which supported the local economy, and although there were also difficult years during and after WWII, an amicable relationship has been promoted subsequently, and he intends to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

In addition, President Duterte stated that the local residents of Davao will never forget Japan's support, and he intends to promote bilateral cooperation not only in the fields of the economy and trade but also in the security front also in the future.

(2) Support for capacity-building for maritime security 

Minister Kishida explained that enhancing the Philippines' capabilities in the maritime security fields is one important pillar of Japan's support for the Philippines, and Japan also intends to move ahead with providing patrol boats and leasing the Maritime Self-Defense Forces (MSDF)'s training aircraft. Furthermore, in the area of infrastructure development support, in addition to steadily implementing the approximately 240-billion yen railway project between Malolos and Tutuban (the yen loan North-South Commuter Railway Project), Japan will also actively pursue high quality support that utilizes the Official Development Assistance (ODA) in projects such as the Metro Manila subway project.

(3) Invitation for President Duterte to visit Japan

Minister Kishida expressed his expectation that President Duterte will visit Japan in the near future.

The two sides exchanged views on matters of common interest in the region and the international community, in particular the South China Sea. Minister Kishida expressed his intention to provide his utmost support and cooperation to the Philippines, which will serve as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chair country next year, and confirmed close bilateral cooperation on challenges facing the region and the international community.

President Duterte stated that the Philippines strongly affirms and respects the recent award in the arbitration between China and the Philippines, and intends to cooperate on the rule of law and peacefully resolving disputes.

(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 (amounting to approximately 242 billion yen) project 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. A signing of exchange of notes between the governments of Japan and the Philippines was held in November 2015.