PH Ambassador to Japan Underscores Importance of Traditional Values in Governance at Asia Society Japan Forum
Ambassador Jose C. Laurel V is flanked by Ambassador Koji Haneda (left), Mr. Jesper Koll, Board of Director, Asia Society Japan and Ms. Sawako Hidaka, Executive Director, Asia Society Japan. (Taishi Yokotsuka for Asia Society Japan photo)
TOKYO 28 April 2022 – The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo participated for the first time in the Ambassadors’ Circle Forum of the Asia Society Japan on 28 April 2022, with Philippine Ambassador to Japan Jose C. Laurel V underlining the importance of traditional values in governance, as Asia transforms with the unfolding of the “Asian Century.”
Ambassador Laurel spoke at the International House of Japan before members of the Asia Society Japan, a global hub in Tokyo dedicated to nurturing peace and development in Asia.
Ambassador Laurel said that as Asia re-emerges at the center of the world economy, governance should focus on values that prioritize the community more than the individual, encourage the peaceful settlement of disputes, place emphasis on education, and give importance to tolerance of diversity.
Underlining the need for countries to support one another, Ambassador Laurel cited Japan’s leadership role in international aid policy. He lauded Japan for recently setting the bar by contributing US$ 3.4 billion in support of the World Bank’s global poverty reduction programs. Ambassador Laurel also said that the Philippines continues to benefit from Japan’s beneficial presence, with Japan building the first subway in Manila.
“Unknown to many,” Ambassador Laurel said, “Japan is also quietly working to support peace and development in the southern Philippines. Japan is also supportive of our aspiration to be a stronger archipelago with its recent delivery of Multirole Response Vessels to the Philippine Coast Guard.”
Ambassador Laurel stressed that for a vigorous Asian Century to happen, Asia should transform itself from a passive participant in the debate on global rule making and a follower of rules, to an active member of the world community and a constructive rule maker.
Asia Society Japan Center forms part of the Asia Society, which was founded in 1956 by John D. Rockefeller 3rd. Hon. Kevin Rudd, former Prime Minister of Australia, currently sits as the Society’s President and Chief Executive Officer. END
For more information, visit https://www.tokyo.philembassy.net, or https://www.tokyope.dfa.gov.ph, or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinJapan/. END