New Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines pledges strong friendship and cooperation

Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa

MANILA – Tokyo has named a former Director-General of the Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Kazuhide Ishikawa, as new Ambassador to Manila.

Ishikawa, who graduated Master of Arts in International Relations from University of Pennsylvania and studied at the Harvard Graduate School of Economics, pledged to further enhance the already existing bilateral relations between the Philippines and Japan through continued cooperation in key areas of mutual interest.

“It is with great honor that I receive my first assignment as Ambassador here in the Philippines. 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. The relationship between Japan and the Philippines has evolved a lot through the years. This is possibly due to the fact that we share many common attributes such as democracy and free market principles,” he said.

Japan has contributed so much and is active in peace process in Mindanao and one of the biggest aid donors to the Philippines.

“At present, we are enjoying successful Strategic Partnership under the governance of President Aquino and Prime Minister Abe. On top of Japan still being the largest ODA (Official Development Assistance) donor to the Philippines, this partnership manifests itself through heightened support in regional security and maritime safety, enhanced trade and investment relations taking advantage of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement and continuous support in the peace process in Mindanao,” Ishikawa said.

The 59-year old Ishikawa also served in various diplomatic posts in the United States and Thailand.

“As I take on the role of Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines, I hope to make significant contributions that would further strengthen the bilateral relations between our two countries, adding to the legacy of friendship and cooperation arduously achieved by those who have come before me,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)

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