Q&A with Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya

The Philippines Graphic sat with Ambassador Endo Kazuya who discussed in-depth the political, economic, and military facets of what has been touted as the “Golden Age” of Japan-Philippine relations.

PHILIPPINES GRAPHIC: WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT THE EXISTING BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN PHL AND JAPAN?

JAPANESE AMBASSADOR ENDO KAZUYA: I think our bilateral relations have grown into a genuine, close, equal strategic partnership with significantly expanding scopes of cooperation, compared with the time of my first visit to Manila.

In addition to our Prime Minister’s meeting with President Marcos, Prime Minister Kishida also gave a speech at the joint session of the Congress. It was very impressive to me, the warm welcome extended by many of the senators and congressmen. The enthusiasm is  on both sides to further deepen our cooperation and collaboration, and strategic perspectives are inherent in our bilateral relationship.

And I feel a great honor to serve in this country as a humble bridge between the two nations

HOW MUCH ODA HAS JAPAN EXTENDED TO THE PHILIPPINES OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS?

From FY2018-FY2022, Japan has extended about US$8,732 Million to the Philippines as ODA. Japan is by far the largest donor with a cumulative total of US$36.863 billion since 1967.

Japan has long supported the Philippines in various fields, especially in infrastructure development. Our cooperation extends to the improvement of connectivity in the Luzon region through related financial and technical assistance to construct the “Metro Manila Subway” and the “North-South Commuter Railway.”   In addition, Japan has been supporting the construction of roads and bridges, such as the Davao Bypass Construction Project and the Dalton Pass East Alternative Road Construction Project. Japan will continue to support infrastructure development in the Philippines in line with President Marcos’ “Build Better More” policy.

ARE WE EXPECTING CLOSER COORDINATION AND PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN JAPAN AND THE PHILIPPINES IN TERMS OF MARITIME SECURITY COOPERATION IN THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA? HOW DO YOU SEE THIS COOPERATION MOVING FORWARD?

I think Japan and the Philippines are strategic partners, and we share fundamental values and principles, including rules of law and respect for freedom. And as you pointed out, Japan and the Philippines have been strengthening bilateral cooperation in many fields, including security and defense, and realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific.

And I think the Philippine government has also been emphasizing the need to realize a free and open Indo Pacific.

Our partnership aims to deepen our bilateral relations and cooperation and contribute to realizing a stable and prosperous region, the ASEAN in particular.

This effort is not intended to target any specific third country, and this effort is a force for good for this region and for the entire globe.

IN WHAT SPECIFIC WAYS CAN WE MOVE FORWARD ON OUR DEFENSE COOPERATION? WE HAVE A PENDING RAA AGREEMENT…

Last November when Prime Minister Kishida made a visit to Manila, both leaders announced that we were going to negotiate the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the two countries which is going to facilitate mutual visits—for the Japan Self Defense Forces to make a visit to the Philippines, and for the Philippine Armed Forces to make a visit to Japan so that we can facilitate such efforts as the joint exercises, and others. I think we are in the final stage of the negotiations. It will be signed soon and it will be announced.

𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: 𝘖𝘯 𝘑𝘶𝘭𝘺 8, 2024, 𝘑𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘯’𝘴 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘈𝘧𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘴 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘶 𝘒𝘪𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘍𝘦𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘙. 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘰𝘴, 𝘑𝘳., 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘑𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘯–𝘗𝘏𝘓 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘈𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘈𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 (𝘙𝘈𝘈) 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘋𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘎𝘪𝘭𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘰 𝘊. 𝘛𝘦𝘰𝘥𝘰𝘳𝘰. 𝘈𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘑𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘒𝘪𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘶 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘈𝘧𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘴 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘌𝘯𝘳𝘪𝘲𝘶𝘦 𝘈. 𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘰.

WE HAVE OUR OWN STATUS OF FORCES AGREEMENT (SOFA) WITH THE AMERICANS, JUST AS JAPAN HAS A SOFA WITH THE UNITED STATES. IS THE RAA SIMILAR TO THE SOFA?

Each country has its own legal system, so there are lots of detailed issues that we have to consult each other in order to facilitate the mutual visits, either the self-defense forces or the Armed Forces.

The RAA is similar to the Visiting Forces Agreement. The Philippines has VFA with the U.S., Australia, and a third country. Hopefully, it’s going to be Japan.

Japan also has a similar type of arrangement with the United States, UK, and Australia. The Philippines is going to be the first Asian country for Japan to have an RAA or Visiting Forces Agreement.

This is a very important step forward for two Asian countries to make an important endeavor to facilitate mutual visits of the armed forces.

IN AUGUST 2023, U.S. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN HOSTED A TRILATERAL LEADERS’ SUMMIT AT CAMP DAVID TO INAUGURATE A NEW ERA OF TRILATERAL PARTNERSHIP AMONG THREE COUNTRIES—U.S., JAPAN, AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (ROK). HOW DID THIS STRATEGIC MEETING FURTHER DEFINE THE ROLE OF JAPAN VIS-À-VIS ITS RELATIONS WITH THE PHILIPPINES, IN PARTICULAR, ON THE MATTER OF PEACE AND PROSPERITY IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA?

During the Japan-U.S.-ROK Summit, the three leaders concurred to enhance strategic coordination between the U.S.-Japan Alliance and the U.S.-ROK Alliance and bring trilateral security cooperation to new heights for the sake of maintaining a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

   In relation to the South China Sea, the leaders of our three countries strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the waters of the Indo-Pacific. In particular, they steadfastly oppose the militarization of reclaimed features; the dangerous use of Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels; and coercive activities. They were also concerned about illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Furthermore, they reiterated their firm commitment to international law, including the freedom of navigation and overflight, as reflected in UNCLOS, and recognized that the July 2016 award in the South China Sea arbitration sets out the legal basis for the peaceful resolution of maritime conflicts between the parties to that proceeding.

   In addition to our coordinated position on the South China Sea, the 2023 Japan-US-ROK Trilateral Summit established Trilateral Development and Humanitarian Assistance Policy Dialogue. As Director General for International Cooperation, I led the Japanese delegation in this collaborative effort to identify priority areas for cooperation among our three nations. Southeast Asia and Pacific Island Countries emerged as natural focal points for future endeavors.

MAY WE KNOW THE STATUS OF THE COASTAL SURVEILLANCE RADAR SYSTEM PROJECT, THE ACKNOWLEDGED FIRST COOPERATION PROJECT UNDER JAPAN’S OFFICIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE (OSA). WHAT IS THE PROPOSED TIMELINE OF ITS IMPLEMENTATION? HOW POWERFUL IS THIS COASTAL SURVEILLANCE RADAR SYSTEM?

On November 3 of last year, both governments of Japan and the Philippines agreed on the Exchange of Notes on the OSA program. This was the first-ever since the establishment of the OSA scheme and the Japanese government will provide a coastal radar system to the Philippine Navy.

The Project is ongoing and we are closely coordinating with the Philippine Navy. Details including specifications are under consideration, so it is difficult to give a concrete answer. However, by introducing this radar system, we intend to help Philippine efforts to enhance its coastal monitoring and Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) capabilities which will contribute to peace and stability in the region.

ANOTHER ASPECT THAT WAS DISCUSSED DURING THE 2023 VISIT WAS THE TRANSFER OF WARNING AND CONTROL RADARS, AND MARITIME SECURITY CAPACITY BUILDING, INCLUDING THE PROVISION OF PATROL VESSELS. WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THESE EFFORTS?

Japan, as a maritime nation, places importance on the rule of law in the maritime domain, and has been cooperating with sea lane littoral states, including the Philippines, to strengthen defense and maritime law enforcement capabilities by providing patrol vessels and human resource development.

In October 2023, the first air-surveillance radar was delivered to the Philippine Air Force. A mobile air-surveillance radar system was also handed over to the Philippine Air Force in March of this year.

In addition, at the Japan-U.S.-Philippines Summit Meeting held in April of this year, we agreed to strengthen cooperation in maritime security.

As for Coast Guard cooperation, I signed the Exchange of Notes with Foreign Secretary Manalo for the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project for the Philippine Coast Guard (Phase III) last May 17. This Project finances the provision of an additional five 97m class Multi-Role Response vessels to the Philippine Coast Guard.

This follows Phase I (signed in December 2013, JPY18.7 billion, provision of ten 44m class Multi-Role Response vessels) and Phase II (signed in October 2016, JPY16.5 billion, provision of two 97m class Multi-Role Response vessels). The additional loan aid is expected to contribute to improving maritime safety in the Philippines by improving the capacity of the Philippine Coast Guard to efficiently conduct maritime rescue, law enforcement and other operations.

HOW MUCH FUNDS WILL BE INVOLVED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COASTAL SURVEILLANCE RADAR SYSTEM, WARNING AND CONTROL RADARS, MARITIME SECURITY CAPACITY BUILDING, AND PATROL VESSELS? WILL THESE FUNDS BE COURSED THROUGH OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE?

The Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project, which will provide five additional large Multi-Role Response vessels, will have a maximum loan amount of 64.3 billion yen (US$400,720,815). In addition, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Satellite Data Communication System—signed on August 8, 2023—is a 1.1-billion Yen grant (US$6,854,925). Both are ODA projects.

On the other hand, the Coastal Radar Systems amounting to JPY600 million (US$ 3,724,360.20) will be provided through the Official Security Assistance (OSA) Program, while the Air-surveillance Radar System is a Philippine government procurement contract between the Department of National Defense (DND) and a Japanese private company, Mitsubishi Electric.

HOW DOES JAPAN ENVISION FURTHER COLLABORATION WITH THE PHILIPPINES WITH REGARD TO CYBER SECURITY AND ECONOMIC SECURITY?

The United States, Japan, and the Philippines are maritime nations linked by the Pacific Ocean and are equal partners. In ensuring peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, it is important that the three countries, which share fundamental values and principles and support regional economic development, further strengthen cooperation in a wide range of fields.

Cyber security is crucial to ensuring peace and prosperity in the international community, including Japan. We will work closely with the Philippines and the U.S. to promote efforts for the development of a free, fair, and secure cyberspace. It is also important to develop a secure, safe, open, and transparent telecommunications infrastructure through the promotion of supplier diversification.

As stated in the US-Japan-Philippines Joint Vision Statement, to further discuss cooperation in this domain, we will hold the US-Japan-Philippines Cyber-Digital Dialogue. The three countries also intend to deepen cooperation in Open RAN field trials, support for the Asia Open RAN Academy, and so on.

In the area of economic security, we will enhance resilience through the Luzon Economic Corridor, the Semiconductor Workforce Development Initiative, and the support for critical minerals industries, including supply chains. Details of these initiatives will be determined through further discussions among each government.

JAPAN HAS BEEN VERY MUCH ACTIVE IN HELPING THE PEACEBUILDING EFFORTS IN THE BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS REGION. WHAT IS JAPAN’S ASSESSMENT OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN MINDANAO IN THE LIGHT OF LAST YEAR’S BOMBING IN THE MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY AND OTHER SKIRMISHES?

After the long and arduous peace process evolving over the last century, the government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front signed the Comprehensive Agreement in 2014. Since this historical signing of the peace accord, significant achievements have been made over the past ten years including the enactment of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the establishment of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority. Progress in both the political (sphere) and normalization are on track, despite some delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of course, there seems to be some challenges in the implementation of the peace accord, such as the relatively slow progress of the normalization track and sporadic violence, mostly related to local terrorist groups in the region.

However, we are determined to uphold our commitment to supporting the peace process.

Since both signing parties are continuously collaborating to overcome these challenges and respecting the partnership between the signing parties, Japan will continue our ongoing support, including sending experts to the independent decommissioning body for the purpose of decommissioning combatants and weapons of the MILF and to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority for governance improvement and socioeconomic development assistance.

We have so many projects in the Bangsamoro region, and through those supports, we do hope that the dividends of peace will be delivered to the Bangsamoro communities as much as possible, so that no one will be left behind.

WHAT HAS JAPAN DONE TO HELP IN KEEPING PEACE AND STABILITY IN MINDANAO?

First of all, the Philippines is a close neighbor and a close partner of Japan. Supporting the peace processes in the Philippines is in itself one of our national interests. I think it’s very important for the Japanese government to make some contributions, however humble.

We have over a hundred projects so far in Mindanao—from agriculture to waste management, to decommissioning.

Just recently, I signed a document with our United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representative related to the further promotion of birth registration in the Mindanao region. Without any birth registration, it’s hard for them to get an access to the very basic social welfare services. In the BARMM region, I understand that the birth registration rate is still around 70%.

THE TOURISM OFFICIALS OF JAPAN AND THE PHILIPPINES HAD SIGNED A MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION FOR TOURISM, THE FIRST STAND-ALONE COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO NATIONS. HOW HAS THIS AGREEMENT IMPACTED ON INCREASING TOURIST ARRIVALS FOR BOTH COUNTRIES?

Since signing the memorandum, the two countries have worked to increase inbound tourism between the two countries, promote two-way tourism exchanges, encourage mutual travel by high-value-added travelers, expand tourism spending, and have also worked to stabilize and strengthen air and sea transportation for mutual exchange.

As a result, last year, the number of tourists from the Philippines to Japan exceeded 620,000, and Japan was the top destination visited by Filipino tourists in the past year. In addition, the number of Filipino visitors to Japan in the first quarter of 2024 exceeded 200,000, a record high and one of the highest in ASEAN.

I have also heard that the Philippine Airlines is planning to resume direct flights between Osaka and Cebu in July this year.

   We believe that the MOU has been effective to a certain extent, and we will continue to promote initiatives in the field of tourism between the two countries.

HAVE YOU BEEN TO TOURIST SPOTS IN THE PHILIPPINES?

Very limited. I’ve been to Bataan to participate in the Araw ng Kagitingan ceremony.

   I’ve been to Anilao together with my kids who visited us during the so-called Golden Week in Japan from late April to early May. It’s a holiday season for about a week. And they visited us, and we took them to Anilao for snorkeling and diving.

   Many of our friends and colleagues have suggested to me to visit El Nido in Palawan. I heard that they have a very beautiful sea.

   We also have our consulate general in Cebu. There are lots of Japanese industries investing in that island and at the same time, there are so many tourist spots.

WHAT IN YOUR VIEW WOULD ATTRACT FILIPINOS TO JAPAN AND VICE VERSA?

I think the Philippines has incredibly attractive tourist spots in various parts of the country, and Japan also has a lot of attractive spots for tourism. Both countries have incredible potential for further promotion of tourism, and various efforts can be a made to promote tourism between the two nations.

For Japan, there are lots of things that can attract Filipino tourists. Japan’s pop culture enjoys immense popularity among young Filipinos. There are lots of bands, animes and even cosplay. I think theme tours inspired by anime and manga locations like “Kimi no Na wa” would be a hit with the growing interest in anime pilgrimage.

And, oh, on another note, Japanese brands also enjoy a very positive and strong presence in the country. Filipino shoppers buy familiar names like UNIQLO, Muji, Asics and Onitsuka Tiger. And the recent launch of Nitori in Mitsukoshi BGC caused quite a stir. And this love for Japanese brands translates to Philippine tourists as big spenders in Japan.

I was also very much impressed by the popularity in the Philippines of the Don Quijote stores, the ideal destination for Japanese products at very incredible prices. I heard that it’s even a trend for Filipino travelers to pack extra luggage just to bring back some souvenirs for their loved ones. This shopping spree will be a major boost to Japan’s tourism and even the economy.

Food, of course, offers another exciting avenue for tourism growth. I think many tourists to Japan also enjoy a wide variety of food in Tokyo or Osaka, in some other relatively rural provinces.

CAN YOU EXPOUND ON THE NUMBER OF FILIPINOS VISITING OR WORKING IN JAPAN OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS? WHAT IS THE DEMOGRAPHIC OF FILIPINOS WORKING IN JAPAN (IN TERMS OF AGE, PROFESSION, AND GENDER)?

According to the statistics of the Immigration Service Agency, there will be 322,046 Filipino residents in Japan at the end of 2023. More than half of the Filipino residents in Japan are residents based on status such as Permanent residents, long-term residents, and so on.

Another large portion is made up of residents for work purposes. Japan introduced SSW, or specified skilled workers, in 2019. The acceptance of Filipino workers through this SSW scheme has been increasing, and it reached more than 20,000 last year. Shipbuilding and ship machinery (4,098), Manufacturing of industrial products (3,905), and Nursing care (3,497) are major categories.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FILIPINO WORD? HAVE YOU LEARNED SOME FILIPINO WORDS ALREADY?

Salamat. Masarap. Mabuhay!

   I think it’s very important in any language to express some kind of appreciation to the people around you. Salamat is the expression of appreciation.

   And when I eat something delicious, I also have to express my appreciation to someone who has cooked those dishes. So, Masarap.

   And Mabuhay is also a very convenient word. It can be used on various occasions, when we do something friendly and good.

   I also appreciate the hospitality of the Filipino community and Filipino friends, very much.