PH, Japan Discuss Strategic Partnership

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Neal Imperial met with Japanese Foreign Ministry Director-General Arima Yutaka to discuss ways to further strengthen the Strategic Partnership between the Philippines and Japan. (DFA-ASPAC photo)

PASAY 01 February 2023 – Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Nathaniel Imperial and Director-General Arima Yutaka of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Southeast and Southwest Asian Division held bilateral talks to discuss growing Philippines-Japan relations. During the meeting, the two diplomats discussed ways to further strengthen the Philippines-Japan Strategic Partnership in the areas of defense and security, trade and economic cooperation, development cooperation, and people-to-people ties. 

In 2011, the Philippines and Japan jointly declared its Strategic Partnership. It is anchored on collaboration and cooperation under shared universal values including freedom, democracy, the rule of law, respect for basic human rights, and a free and open economy. Both countries are fully committed towards further strengthening the Partnership, aware of the increasing and complex challenges facing the region and the international community.

Joining the meeting from the Japanese Foreign Ministry were Director Ota Manabu of the Second Southeast Asia Division and Assistant Director Ito Koji. Embassy of Japan in Manila representatives are Deputy Chief of Mission Matsuda Kenichi, Economic Affairs Minister Nihei Daisuke, and Political Officers Hanami Tomoyuki, Koike Yukari, Suzuki Mayu, and Sugimoto Kensuke. 

Japan is the Philippines’ first of only two strategic partners, with cooperation in a broad range of engagements spanning infrastructure, health, defense, agriculture, education, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, people-to-people exchanges, among many others. END

(L-R) Assistant Director of the Japanese Ministry for Foreign Affairs Ito Koji, Director Ota Manabu, Director-General Arima Yutaka, Assistant Secretary Nathaniel Imperial, Deputy Assistant Secretary Myca Fischer, Japanese Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Matsuda Kenichi, Assistant Director Jacqueline Ong, and Economic Minister Nihei Daisuke. (DFA-ASPAC photo)