12 November 2013 - The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo received a ¥ 1 million (approximately PHP 500 thousand) voluntary cash donation on November 11 from officials of Keidanren as humanitarian assistance for those affected by Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) in the Philippines.

Along with some Embassy officials, Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez met with Keidanren officials, Managing Director Ms. Nobuko Sanui and Ms.YumiShimmyo of the International Cooperation Bureau.

Managing Director Sanui also conveyed the letter of Keidenren Vice Chairman and Director General Yoshio Nakamura who offered  “sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy to all the victims, their families, and friends who have been affected by the calamity. I [earnestly believe] that [the] people of the Philippines would be able to overcome the disaster and rebuild their homeland.”

Ambassador Lopez thanked Managing Director Sanui and Keidanren for their sincere and timely contribution. He pledged that Keidanren’s contribution will be put to good use as soon as possible. He also recognized Japan’s and the international community’s immediate and timely response from its public and private sectors in response in the wake of this super typhoon.

KEIDANREN (Japan Business Federation) is a comprehensive economic organization with a membership comprised of 1,300 representative companies of Japan, 121 nationwide industrial associations and 47 regional economic organizations (as of July 1, 2013). Chairman HiromasaYonekura of Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd presently leads Keidanren.  Keidanren officials met with President Benigno S. Aquino III in March 2012 as part of a business mission in the region. END