12 November 2015 – Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel M. Lopez called for the preservation of Kudan, the official residence of the Philippine Ambassador to Japan, as he emphasized the historic and cultural value of Kudan which is now “an integral part of the history of Philippine diplomacy in Japan.”
Ambassador and Madame Maritess Lopez welcomed over 120 dignitaries at the launching of the book, “History and Heritage of The Kudan, The Official Residence of the Philippine Ambassador to Japan.” This book is one of the Philippine projects to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan in 2016.
The event was graced by Hon. Katsunobo Kato, Minister-in-charge of Promoting Dynamic Engagement of All Citizens; Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoji Muto, and Ms. Yoko Ono Lennon, artist, musician, peace activist and wife of the late Beatles legend John Lennon. Also in attendance were the members of the Diplomatic Corps, ranking members of the Japanese Diet, top business executives, and Philippine National Artist for Visual Art, Benedicto Cabrera, known as “BenCab.”
Ambassador Lopez said the launching of the book aims to raise the awareness and deepen the appreciation of Filipinos and Japanese on the importance of Kudan as the official residence of all Philippine Ambassadors and as a landmark edifice of Philippine-Japan relations. The Ambassador said Kudan “continuously provided an indispensable backdrop for the implementation of Philippine foreign policy in relation to Japan” and expressed the hope that the book “would add to the efforts made by all who came here before us to preserve this precious property.”
For her part, Ms. Yoko Ono Lennon thanked Ambassador and Madame Lopez for the invitation to visit Kudan and to grace the launching of the book on the official residence of the Philippine Ambassadors to Japan. Ms. Ono Lennon recalled her days in Kudan and the wonderful memories she had as a little girl living in the house of her uncle, Iwajiro Yasuda, whose grandfather Baron Zenjiro Yasuda who was a prominent Japanese businessman and industrialist. She recalled the various rooms in Kudan especially the music room upstairs and the passion of her uncle in painting.
Ms. Ono Lennon describes Kudan as the venue for establishing and promoting lasting peace and friendship between the Philippines and Japan. Ms. Ono conveyed her best wishes for the Philippines and, in echoing her advocacy for universal peace and an end to all wars, expressed the hope that “our countries can now always be friends…instead of boxing.”
For his part, Minister Kato said that as a former Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, he accompanied Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to several summit meetings with President Benigno S. Aquino III. In July 2013, he accompanied Prime Minister Abe during the visit to the Philippines and met President Aquino at the Malacanang Palace.
Minister Kato stressed that Philippines-Japan bilateral relations is at its height, supported by the strong relation of mutual trust between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Benigno S. Aquino III. Noting that a new president will be elected in May 2016, which is also the year of the 60th anniversary of the Philippines-Japan Diplomatic Relations, Minister Kato conveyed the wish that “Japan would enjoy this good and excellent bilateral relations with a new administration as well.”
In thanking Ambassador and Madame Lopez for the invitation to the book launching, Minister Kato expressed the hope that “this historically valuable Ambassador’s Residence would be continuously maintained in good condition in the future.” END