State Visit Further Elevates Relations
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4 The Japan Times Wednesday, June 3, 2015 Philippine president’s visit State Visit further elevates relations ing root, and future prospects Organization (JeTRO). This But the strength of Philip- Japan in 2015 and beyond. For tually beneficial ties between are seen to further improve trend should strengthen and pine-Japan relations covers a their part, Japanese tourists the Republic of the Philippines under the bold policies and persist, as the two countries tap far broader sphere. In the polit- have demonstrated great en- and Japan readily emerge to structural and regulatory re- and optimize their many syner- ical-security arena, the two thusiasm for the Philippines, form one of the closest partner- forms being resolutely pursued gies and draw on the Philip- countries have also been stra- with its unrivaled beauty, rich ships in the Asia Pacific region. by the Abe government. pines’ expected strong tegic partners in the truest culture and proximity to Japan. President Aquino’s visit to Japan The Philippines’ surging eco- long-term growth. President sense, collaborating bilaterally Japanese tourists to the Philip- is the latest affirmation yet of nomic fortunes and Japan’s aquino’s administration’s own and in the context of regional pines reached 463,744 in 2014, this hallowed tradition. own sure steps toward econom- reforms have placed the Philip- frameworks to advance mutual a 6.9 percent increase. The Phil- With the bilateral relation- ic revival combine to create pines in an excellent position to interests, and to respond to ippines is now setting its sights ship set to mark 60 years of re- valuable opportunities for both attract both present and future common and complex chal- on breaching the half-million lations in 2016, President countries to derive substantial waves of Japanese FdI inflows. lenges now rearing their heads mark and topping this number aquino’s visit serves as a most and sustained mutual growth Japanese official develop- in our region and its waters. many times over. With the auspicious occasion for yet in the coming years. ment assistance (ODA), which as major maritime nations number of airlines and flights again demonstrating the abid- needless to say, the upward has topped that of other coun- straddling Asia’s strategic rim operating between the two ing relevance of Philippine-Ja- trajectory in relations is very tries for years, will also contin- along the Pacific, the Philip- countries expanding, the com- pan relations, in serving the much felt in the economic ue to play a vital role in the pines and Japan — asia’s ing years will see reciprocal best interests of the Filipino sphere. Japanese foreign direct development of various sectors. staunchest democracies, and tourism records fall between and Japanese peoples, and in Manuel M. Lopez investment (FdI), which has now that the Philippine econ- both U.s. treaty allies — are now the Philippines and Japan. contributing to the stability Ambassador of the Philippines long had a major role in Philip- omy has shifted to a higher at the forefront of the drive to Visits are a manifestation of and future growth of the larger pine industrialization and growth trajectory, both coun- help secure the region’s peace closeness between friends. By region that is our common arriving yesterday, H.e. Presi- growth, continues to pour into tries are seen to direct Japanese and security. The Philippines this measure, the close and mu- neighborhood. President Benigno S. Aquino III of the Republic of the Philippines dent Benigno S. Aquino III is the Philippines, encouraged by ODA more toward helping es- has been providing a strong being received by the govern- a much-improved and highly tablish the bases for securing voice for peaceful resolution of ment of Japan as this year’s first attractive business environment the Philippines’ future growth conflicts and the primacy of the Background of H.E. President of the Philippines Benigno S. Aquino III state guest. that has made the Philippines and productivity, for instance, rule of law. Japanese foreign President Aquino’s three-day the top profit center for Japa- by supporting industrialization policy mirrors these advoca- The 15th President of the Republic of the And yet it also awakened a remem- gress proclaimed Aquino as president state visit through June 5 is of nese companies in asia and and manufacturing, further cies, and is now set toward pur- Philippines, Benigno Simeon Aquino III, brance of the values she stood for. It elect of the Philippines. In his inaugural great significance for both coun- Oceania, according to no less modernizing the Philippines’ suing a more proactive role for has come to stand for Filipinos’ reinvigo- stirred up the people’s yearning for an address on June 30, 2010, he told the Fili- tries, whose engagement and than the Japan External Trade infrastructure. Japan in underpinning region- rated passion to build a nation of justice, honest and compassionate leadership, pino people: “We are here to serve and cooperation are now at most ex- al peace and security. President peace and inclusive progress. and a nation that trusts and works with not to lord over you. The mandate given cellent levels. Bilateral ties have aquino’s forthcoming summit Aquino — the only son of democracy its government. to me was one of change. I accept your grown exponentially under the meeting with Abe promises to icons Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Immediately after her wake, people marching orders to transform our govern- vision and leadership of both further cement the two coun- and President Corazon Aquino — has in began to call on Aquino, urging him to ment from one that is self-serving to one President aquino and H.e. tries’ firm cooperation to ad- different junctures throughout his life re- run for the presidency in the 2010 elec- that works for the welfare of the nation.” Prime Minister shinzo abe. vance their shared advocacy. sponded to the challenge of acting with tions to continue his parents’ work. Peti- The presidency of Aquino has been President aquino’s sojourn President Aquino’s visit will and serving the Filipino people. tions and an outpouring of support marked by a hardy dedication to bringing promises to even raise the stra- also be an occasion to celebrate In 1983 after the assassination of his through yellow ribbons and stickers about shared progress by doing things tegic partnership to newer the long history of friendship father, he returned from exile to the went full blast, convincing him to run. the right way. Aquino’s determination to heights. and mutual appreciation be- country to help show the way for the Moreover, other candidates such as lead the government and the nation to- The state visit takes place at tween Filipino and Japanese EDSA People Power Revolution — the Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, Pam- ward the straight path has been the cata- a most propitious time. The peoples. Over 222,000 Filipinos nonviolent and prayerful revolution by panga Gov. Eddie Panlilio, and Isabela lyst for unprecedented economic Philippine economy is soaring, regard Japan as a second home, ordinary people that toppled a dictator- Gov. Grace Padaca gave up their presi- growth, which has trickled down to the riding high on the wings of solid sharing their creativity, skills, ship and restored Philippine democracy. dential aspirations to support Aquino. margins of society through improved macroeconomic fundamentals, industry and cheerful spirit for In 1998, Aquino entered public service After a spiritual retreat at the Carmel- government services, reforms in the ed- booming trade, high levels of the growth and development of to make sure that the democracy his par- lite Monastery in Zamboanga City, Aqui- ucation system and conditional cash foreign and domestic invest- both their Philippine mother- ents fought for would bring changes in no responded to the call to make the transfers for the poor; an inspired cam- ment, and, just as importantly, land and Japanese society. This people’s lives. He served as representa- people’s passion for change the driving paign for good governance and justice as high consumer optimism and is complemented by yet anoth- tive of the 2nd District of Tarlac from force behind a new government. On evidenced by the prosecution of corrupt business confidence. since er notable trend as the number 1998 to 2007. In May 2007, he joined the Sept. 9, 2009, 40 days after his mother’s and abusive government officials; and 2012, the Philippines has been of Filipino tourists to Japan Philippine Senate, wherein he worked to death, he officially announced his candi- the empowerment of every citizen so one of asia’s fastest-growing reached 184,204 in 2014. bring about legislative initiatives an- dacy for president at Club Filipino in they may participate in building a nation economies, besting all other encouraged by the relaxation chored on the protection of human rights Greenhills, San Juan — where his moth- of hope and opportunity. countries, save for one. The of Japanese visa requirements, and honest and responsible governance. er took oath on the final day of the EDSA Aquino once said: “My hope is that world’s leading credit ratings Filipinos posted the fastest The most despondent days perhaps in People Power Revolution. “I want to when I leave office, everyone can say agencies have all awarded the growth rate in tourism from Aquino’s life took place in 2009 when his make democracy work not just for the that we have traveled far on the right Philippines investment-grade ASEAN member states into mother passed away from cancer after rich and well connected but for every- path, and that we are able to bequeath a ratings.