RP-Japan ties closer than ever, says Tokyo’s envoy

Bilateral relations between Japan and the Philippines have been raised to a higher level and are now closer than before, Japanese Ambassador Ryuichiro Yamazaki declared yesterday.

"First, we both share the sublime values of democracy, freedom and human rights, which in themselves should not be taken for granted in any country," Yamazaki said. "Secondly, we are neighbors sharing the same sea-lanes but we do not have any territorial or maritime disputes," he said.

Yamazaki said the close relations between the two countries would be highlighted by the visit of Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Yasuhisa Shiozaki this week.

Shiozaki will lead a delegation in the kick-off event of the Philippines-Japan Friendship Year at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) on Wednesday.

Yamazaki stressed the Philippines-Japan Friendship Year is a joint endeavor by both countries to highlight the diplomatic and cultural relations between the two countries.

Yamazaki said the various commemorative events taking place this year will enhance the mutual understanding and friendship between the Filipinos and Japanese.

"And, I hope that historians, when they look back another 50 years from now, will assess the year 2006 as providing a springboard for consolidating a dynamic and ever-expanding partnership between our two countries," he added.

Yamazaki said the Japanese government also looks forward to promoting constructive regional cooperation in East Asia, taking the opportunity when Manila assumes the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). — Pia Lee-Brago