Duterte hails PH’s ‘unrivaled’ partnership with Japan

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has extolled the Philippines’ “unrivaled” partnership with Japan for 65 years now.

In his message for the 65th anniversary of the Philippines and Japan’s diplomatic relations, Duterte expressed confidence that two nations’ strategic partnership will continue to strengthen amid their “deepening” people-to-people linkages.

“Japan is unrivaled in its status as one of the Philippines’ most valued partners. Since 1956, the Philippines-Japan ties have been marked with one triumph after another,” Duterte said.

Duterte said the Philippines would always consider Japan as a “friend closer than a brother.”

He made the remarks, as he acknowledged that only “a handful” of the Philippines’ bilateral relationships with other countries have become “deeply transformative.”

This, Duterte said, includes the country’s “extraordinary” ties with Japan.

“Our mutual decision to move forward while continuing to be aware of our shared meaningful history has truly been a gift of timeless value to our peoples,” he said. “In celebrating the 65th anniversary of our diplomatic ties, let us honor the legacy of the extraordinary relationship between our country and Japan.”

Duterte also said he is optimistic that the two countries’ shared future would remain “bright.”

“There are many promises that can still be fulfilled,” he said.

In a video message, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has expressed his appreciation for the “strong” bond between the two nations.

Suga also vowed that Japan would continue to work closely with the Philippines in battling the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, supporting the Duterte government’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program, pursuing a “proactive” approach for the enhancement of Manila’s maritime law enforcement, and maintaining peace and order in Mindanao.

“The bond between us has never been this strong,” Suga said. “Let me conclude my greetings by wishing this commemorative year would gather momentum for further deepening of the relationship between our two countries.”

The Philippines and Japan have formally established their diplomatic relations on July 23, 1956.