GMA invites Japanese prime minister to visit in July

President Arroyo has invited Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to visit the Philippines in July for the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Philippine-Japan relations, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said yesterday.

"We are hoping all sorts of good things will happen during the time (of Koizumi’s visit)," Romulo said, as he expressed optimism that the forthcoming Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JEPA) will be finalized during Koizumi’s visit in Manila.

The Philippines-Japan Friendship Year is a joint endeavor by both countries and a historic event to commemorate the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Because of the importance the Philippines attaches to its ties with Japan, Romulo said the President issued Proclamation 854 declaring July 23, 2006 as Philippines-Japan Friendship Day, and Proclamation 905 declaring 2006 as Philippines-Japan Friendship Year.

Throughout this year, events and activities will be held in both the Philippines and Japan to commemorate the historic milestones in the bilateral ties and celebrate present close and vibrant partnership.

Romulo and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso discussed the JPEPA during the former’s visit in Tokyo, upon the invitation of his Japanese counterpart early this month.

"I had a meeting with the Foreign Minister Aso, who is one of the leading candidates for Prime Minister in the September elections. We are looking forward to the finalization of the Japan Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement. That is being handled directly by the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) and the DTI is optimistic this will happen," Romulo said.

While there is no deadline for the finalization of the JPEPA, Romulo said he had signed the technical cooperation memorandum covering all preparations for JPEPA during his visit to Japan.

"There is no deadline but we have invited Prime Minister Koizumi to be here on July 23 for the anniversary. Hopefully we could have some conclusive agreement and understanding," he said.

During his Japan visit, Romulo said he also discussed with Japanese officials Tokyo’s restriction on human resources and emphasized that legitimate Filipino entertainers and workers should be given leeway because they are in Japan to perform important tasks.

"I talked not only to the Foreign Minister but also to the chief Cabinet Secretary Mr. Abe, who is another strong contender to be the next Prime Minister, and the Justice Secretary and they assured me they will see that all legitimate applications will be honored," Romulo said.

"Eventually, we’ll be able to supply their need because the Filipino caregivers and health workers are one of the (most) sought after in the world and the Japanese and other countries know this that is why we want this JPEPA signed so that it will be the basis for all these," he added.

The party-list Akbayan filed a petition before the Supreme Court last March 21 asking to stop the government from concluding and signing an economic agreement with Japan.

In asking the high court to prevent the government from finalizing the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), Akbayan claimed that the agreement contains a provision that will allow the Philippines to trade its hazardous and toxic waste products. The group warned this will put at risk the health and safety of the public.

Press Officer Motoichiro Yamada of the Japanese Embassy said the diplomatic mission had no official statement on the petition.

"It is between two countries (Philippines and Japan) but we do not have yet an official statement," Yamada said in a phone interview.

Akbayan said in their petition that Tokyo proposed the inclusion of hazardous and toxic waste such as municipal waste and sewage sludge to be traded under JPEPA during the hearing conducted by the Tariff Commission last Feb. 22.

The DFA also declined to comment on Akbayan’s legal move. "It is a DTI matter," said Foreign Affairs spokesman Gilberto Asuque.

The purposes of the JPEPA are to promote a freer trans-border flow of goods, persons, services and capital between Japan and the Philippines. The agreement also aims to promote a comprehensive economic partnership which includes intellectual property, competition policy, improvement of business environment and bilateral cooperation in such fields as human resources development, information and communications technology and small and medium enterprises.

Japan remains to be the Philippines’ second top trading partner after the US and is the country’s largest market for electronics and semiconductor devices. Japan is also the Philippines’ top provider of official development assistance and a major source of foreign direct investments. — Pia Lee-Brago