Japanese envoy says Pres. Duterte's Japan trip to firm up 60-year ties

PALO, Leyte, Oct. 21 (PNA) –- The visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to Japan next week will further “invigorate” the six decades of strategic partnership between the two countries, a top Japanese embassy official said.

Speaking to officials and war veterans during the 72nd Leyte Gulf Landing anniversary celebration on Thursday, Minister Atsushi Ueno, deputy chief of mission and head of political of Japanese Embassy said the two countries have been strong allies despite atrocities committed when Japan invaded the country.

"The relationship of our two nation has been steadily going strong, which will be enforced by President Rodrigo Duterte's state visit to Japan next week as a highlight of our 60th year of diplomatic ties," Ueno said.

Philippines-Japan diplomatic relationship was re-established in 1956, resulting to huge investments of Japanese firms in the country.

In 1960, Japan and the Philippines signed a Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation, but the treaty did not go into effect until 1973.

In 1975, Japan had displaced the United States as the main source of investment in the country and remained a major source of development funds, trade, investment, and tourism in the 1980.

In recent calamities and disasters that hit the country, Japan also became the top donor of aid to the Philippines.

Other assistance of Japanese government to the country includes the November 2015 signed agreement for Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to fund part of the construction of railway system between Manila and Bulacan.

In February 2016, the two countries signed the pact to supply defense equipment to the Philippines that will allow to carry out joint research and development project.

At the Leyte Gulf Landings commemoration event, the embassy official has again apologized for the atrocities of Japanese Army in the Philippine during the World War II.

“Japan has deeply expressed the feeling of remorse and heartfelt apology for its actions during the World War II. In order to manifest such feelings in concrete actions, we have engraved in your heart and devoted ourselves to the peaceful development of Asia-Pacific Region,” Ueno added.

Japan occupation in the Philippines during World War II commenced on Dec. 8, 1941, just 10 hours after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

Japanese forces occupied the country until September 1945, almost a year since General Douglas MacArthur return to the Philippines on Oct. 20, 1944. (PNA)
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