TOKYO, Japan– President Duterte is invited to Japan since the Japanese government is “interested” with his leadership, Philippine Ambassador to Japan Jose Laurel V stated.
” The reason the President is brought here is that the Japanese– it’s not Abe alone– it’s the Japanese that are in themselves interested by his government,” he said.
” The Japanese are constantly fascinated with leadership that is acknowledged, verified by their own individuals– a tremendous political will insofar as his programs are worried. So he is not controversial but intriguing [for them],” he included.
According to Laurel, the Japanese have actually been impressed by how Duterte was able to move the economy with “trickle-down” results.
” If they make the growth of half a percent, they’re sad. You offer him 2 percent, there’s happiness and leaping in his workplace. We are here at 7 percent and we are not even satisfied, we are still going for the bigger objectives,” Laurel said.
He noted that diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan are taking pleasure in a golden age.
During his check out in October 2017, Duterte thanked Japan for its dedication to his federal government’s infrastructure program and stated the two countries have actually started to build a golden era of strategic collaboration.
” Our commitment and willpower reveal the desire to further broaden cooperative ties. I attempt state that considering what we have accomplished and accomplished, the Philippines and Japan are developing a golden age [for] our Strategic Partnership,” Duterte said.
Duterte’s 3rd visit to Japan is upon the invite of Nikkei to work as among the keynote speakers in its 25th International Conference on the Future of Asia.
Emperor Naruhito.
Meanwhile, Laurel stated it would be impossible for President Duterte to have an audience with new Japanese Emperor Naruhito because of Palace procedures.
” You see the Japanese are very protocolar. They are really traditional. They really choose who visits them. For the emperor, because the emperor is the sign of Japan,” he said.
” And nobody will see him not even any among the five that were invited to speak at Nikkei because Nikkei is a private affair,” he included.
Laurel explained that if Duterte would be enabled to meet the new emperor, the prime ministers of Malaysia, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and Laos would also be provided the very same opportunity.
” So the Japanese have their own rituals. You have to understand them. You have to understand their culture, their system. And in the end, you agree them due to the fact that they have a system that you have to wait till they are crowned,” he stated.
Naruhito started his reign early this month after his dad, the former Emperor Akihito, renounced.
Duterte was able to meet Akihito when he went to in 2017. He personally extended his gratitude and appreciation for the compassion and empathy of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko when Their Majesties visited the Philippines in 2015 for the 60th anniversary of the normalization of Philippine-Japan diplomatic relations.
Malacañang has expressed self-confidence that the Philippines and Japan will continue to build their “golden era” of the strategic partnership even now that the Land of the Rising Sun is under the Reiwa Era.
” We remain positive that the presumption of Crown Prince Naruhito would augur well for Philippines-Japan relations,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.
” Japan’s US$ 9-billion financial investment and aid plan for the Philippines, topped five years, is the biggest amount the Japanese federal government has devoted for a single nation,” he included.
” We want to build the ‘golden era’ for Philippines-Japan strategic partnership throughout the reign of the new emperor. As PRRD himself stated, Japan is our friend, closer even than a bro,” he stated.
Reward.
Laurel said the President’s Japan see might also be a benefit to his Cabinet members due to the fact that he was “elated” by the outcomes of the recent midterm elections where 8 of his prospects won Senate seats.
Laurel stated the President’s check out is not so much a stabilizing act on the Philippines’ relationship with China and Japan.
” It has absolutely nothing to do with China here in this visit … Ito’ y pabuya sa nakaraang eleksyon (It is a benefit for the elections). Why do you bring 20 cabinet members here, pati (even) local government and for land reform? Wala namang land reform dito? Tapos na (There’s no landreform here, Japan’s already made with that),” he said.
Elated.
” But I believe the President is so elated with the results of the midterm elections that this is an affirmation of what his administration has done in the last 3 years. Parang pabuya (It resembles a reward),” he added.
According to Laurel, Duterte’s trip will be shouldered by Nikkei who welcomed the Philippine leader to attend the worldwide conference.
However, it is not clear if the costs of the Cabinet members and their staff who will be joining this trip were likewise paid by Nikkei or by the Philippine government.
” Unang-una, ito ay imbitasyon ng Nikkei. Sila ang sasagot ng gastos [ng Presidente] Pagka-libre ay ‘di sabihin sa kapitbahay (Firstly, this is upon the invitation of Nikkei. They will take on the President’s expenditures. If something is free, of course, you’ll tell your next-door neighbors),” he stated.
16 Cabinet authorities.
A total of 16 Cabinet authorities are signing up with Duterte in his 3rd check out to Japan. They consist of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Financing Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Farming Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, Public Functions and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Tourist Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato dela Peña, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, and Info and Communications Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr.
Duterte is also bringing with him National Economic and Advancement Authority (NEDA) director-general Ernesto Pernia, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, National Security Consultant Secretary Hermogenes Esperon Jr., presidential representative Salvador Panelo, and peace, reconciliation and unity adviser Carlito Galvez Jr.
