JAPANESE ambassador-designate to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa arrived in Manila on Sept. 12, Friday, 1:14 p.m.
A statement by the Embassy of Japan said Mr. Ishikawa aims to enhance Japan’s bilateral relations with the Philippines in key areas of mutual interest.
“It is with great honor that I receive my first assignment as Ambassador here in the Philippines,” Mr. Ishikawa said in the statement.
“As previous Director-General of the Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, I am fully aware of the strategic importance of the Philippines in this region.”
Mr. Ishikawa cited “common attributes” between the Philippines and Japan, “such as democracy and free market principles,” as well as the “strategic partnership” between the governments of President Aquino and Prime Minister Abe as facets contributing to Japan’s relations with the Philippines.
He also noted Japan’s role as “still being the largest ODA donor to the Philippines” -- on top of which, he said, the partnership between the two countries “manifests itself…in regional security and maritime safety, enhanced trade and investment relations taking advantage of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), and continuous support in the peace process in Mindanao.”
Mr. Ishikawa is identified in an American university website, News Service - Iowa State University as a career diplomat of more than 30 years, whose past assignments include envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary at the Japanese embassy in the United States.
BusinessWorld | New Japanese ambassador arrives in Manila
