PH Embassy in Tokyo Hosts Diplomatic Reception to Celebrate PH Independence
From left: Parliamentary Vice Minister Norikazu Suzuki, Japan-Philippines Parliamentarian Friendship League (JPPFL) Secretary General Taku Otsuka, Ambassador to Japan Jose C. Laurel V, former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, Minister of Justice Takashi Yamashita and Parliamentarian Yamato Aoyama. (Tokyo PE photo)
TOKYO 03 July 2019 — The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo celebrated the 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with a diplomatic reception held on 19 June 2019 at the historic Imperial Hotel in Tokyo.
Over 300 high dignitaries, including a large gathering of ambassadors and senior diplomats of foreign embassies in Tokyo, members of parliament, senior Japanese officials and Japanese business executive, among others, were present to mark the occasion.
In his remarks, Ambassador to Japan Jose C. Laurel V heralded the arrival of the Asian century, with the Philippines at the forefront of the region’s economic development. He underscored the shift of global economic activity to Asia and said that should Asia sustain the momentum of its growth, “the region is projected to achieve an even greater role as the epicenter of global prosperity by 2050, producing half of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP) and accounting for half of the world’s output, trade and investment.”
Ambassador Laurel also cited the 6.2 percent Philippine GDP growth over the past three years and expressed optimism that current investments in infrastructure and human capital would help the country grow at 7 percent on a sustained basis. He thanked the Japanese government for having been one of the main foreign contributors in aiding the economic boom and infrastructure development in the country.
For his part, Minister of Justice Takashi Yamashita highlighted the golden era of Japan-Philippine relations, brought to light by the recent visit of President Rodrigo Duterte and the signing of a landmark memorandum of cooperation which lays the groundwork for more secure recruitment and employment of Filipino skilled workers in Japan.
The evening’s very special guests also included Ministry of Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Vice Minister Norikazu Suzuki, former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, Japan-Philippines Parliamentarian Friendship League (JPPFL) Secretary General Taku Otsuka, Chief Representative of the New Komeito Party Natsuo Yamaguchi and Parliamentarian Yamato Aoyama.
After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a variety of traditional Philippine cuisine with the world-famous Philippine mango as dessert, and musical performances from Filipino artists. Guests also marveled at the Philippine-made products displayed at the venue. END
Ambassador Laurel delivering his remarks during the ceremony in commemoration of the 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. (Tokyo PE photo)
University of Santo Tomas-Conservatory of Music's Cuatro Almas of the performs for the audience during the diplomatic reception in commemoration of the 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. (Tokyo PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.tokyo.philembassy.net or https://www.tokyope.dfa.gov.ph, or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinJapan/.