The following is the summary of the main events on the morning of January 15 during the visit of IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, to the Philippines.
- Japan Philippines Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Working Lunch
On January 15, commencing at 11:15 a.m. local time (12:15 p.m. Japan time), for approximately 110 minutes, IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting Manila, the Republic of the Philippines, held a Japan Philippines Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Working Lunch with Hon. Enrique A. Manalo, Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines. The overview of the Meeting is as follows:
(1) Introduction
a. Minister Manalo welcomed the visit and expressed his desire to further strengthen Japan Philippines relations with Minister IWAYA.
b. In response, Minister IWAYA stated that he is pleased to meet again soon after the meeting in Italy last November. He also expressed his desire to elevate bilateral relations with the Philippines, a strategic partner, to new heights. Furthermore, he stated that maintaining and strengthening the multilayered cooperation among three countries, Japan, the Philippines and the United States, is also important amid the increasingly severe strategic environment in the region, and expressed his desire to work more closely together to address the regional and international challenges toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”. In addition, he also state that he would welcome the Philippines to the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan and expressed his expectation of many visitors from both countries would visit the Expo.
(2) Regarding bilateral relations, the two Ministers concurred to deepen cooperation in the following areas, including security and the economy.
a. Regarding the security field, the two Ministers affirmed to continue promoting Japan’s support through the Official Security Assistance (OSA) and the Official Development Assistance (ODA) in order to improve the Philippines’ maritime security and coast guard capabilities. They also confirmed that they would proceed with the procedures for the entry into force of the Agreement between Japan and the Republic of the Philippines Concerning the Facilitation of Reciprocal Access and Cooperation between the Self-Defense Forces of Japan and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (“the Japan-Philippines RAA). Furthermore, in order to align strategic overviews and cooperation directions, they concurred to hold a vice-ministerial strategic dialogue in Manila this year.
b. Regarding the economic field, the two Ministers confirmed that they would promote cooperation that makes use of Japan’s strengths in the fields of infrastructure development, including flood control, climate change, telecommunications, which are the priorities of the Marcos administration. In response, Minister Manalo expressed his appreciation for Japan’s support and conveyed his expectations for further assistance. Additionally, Minister Manalo stated that he would continue to improve the business environment to revitalize investment.
c. Regarding the peace process in Mindanao, Minister IWAYA stated that Japan would continue its support for economic and social development, including Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) perspectives. In response, Minister Manalo expressed his appreciation for Japan’s long-standing support, and express his intention to work towards the smooth establishment of the Bangsamoro autonomous government in cooperation with Japan.
d. The two ministers confirmed that they would continue to promote people-to-people exchanges by utilizing the opportunity of the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
(3) The two Ministers exchanged views on the outlook of the international affairs and concurred to further strengthen cooperation in the following areas, with a view to realizing a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)”.
a. Regarding Japan-U.S.-Philippines trilateral cooperation, there was a shared recognition of the importance of the leaders’ video conference held on the 13th. The two Ministers welcomed that concrete cooperation has been made in the fields of maritime security, cyber, economic security, and infrastructure resiliency. They concurred to maintain and strengthen the momentum of the cooperation with the new U.S. administration.
b. The two Ministers discussed the East and South China Seas and the situation in Myanmar, which are urgent issues for the region, the situation in East Asia such as the response to North Korea, including on the nuclear and missile issues and the abductions issue, as well as the Middle East and Ukraine. Both Japan and the Philippines concurred to share their understanding of these situations and agreed to collaborate more closely to address these issues.
- Flower Offering at Rizal Park
Prior to the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, from 9 40 a.m. local time (10 4 0 a.m. Japan time) for approximately 10 minutes, Minister IWAYA offered flowers at Rizal Park, where a statue of Jose Rizal, a national hero who led the Philippine independence movement, is located.
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Ambassador’s X on the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
https://x.com/AmbJPNinPH/status/1879416024195621198
Ambassador’s X on Flower Offering at Rizal Park
https://x.com/AmbJPNinPH/status/1879400816421064997
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