Japan affirms defense aid to PH amid regional issues

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 10): Japan affirms defense aid to PH amid regional issues

Japan will cooperate with the Philippines as it confronts regional issues in Southeast Asia and provide partnership on security and defense to the former adversary that it now tags as “close friend.”

During the 75th commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan, Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa underscored the importance of Philippines-Japan relations and cited that these countries are working closely with the United States and partner nations in upholding democracy and rule of law.

This developed as Philippines entangles with regional concerns on maritime and security that has since caught international attention.

“75 years ago, we are on opposing sides. Now we have become friends, close friends,” Ishikawa said.

Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II is considered one of the darkest days in country’s history, made most infamous by the Bataan Death March where about 75,000 Filipino and American soldiers endured fatally long walk, torture and incarceration.

Kazuhide, even since his first visit in Bataan in 2015, restated his apologies for the atrocities and said Japan has long changed into a peace-loving nation which will remain unchanged.

“It is determined to make greater contributions to peace, stability and prosperity for the international community. Japan also hopes to actively cooperate on regional issues with Philippines as this year’s [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] chair,” he said.

Kazuhide described as flourishing their partnership with the Philippines specifically on trade investments and humanitarian assistance.

This partnership, he added, has expanded into security and defense, and people-to-people exchanges.

Japan is the single largest locator of factories in the Philippines’ industrial economic zones, and since the signing of the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement in 2006, the land of the rising sun has become the country’s number one trading partner, according to the Department of Trade and Industry.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1951491819800/-japan-affirms-defense-aid-to-ph-amid-regional-issues