Ambassador Lopez Highlights PH Gains, Strength of PH-Japan Relations before Visiting Foreign Graduate Students
Tokyo, Japan – Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel M. Lopez highlighted the sterling economic and political gains posted by the Philippines under the leadership of President Benigno S. Aquino III before an enthusiastic audience of international students hailing from Tokyo’s prestigious National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS).
The lecture was part of a visit undertaken by the graduate students to the Embassy of the Philippines in Tokyo as part of the Institute’s “Networking Summer Program”. The program was developed by the GRIPS International Student Council to allow students to develop contacts and interact with diplomatic missions and receive briefings on developments and issues of importance to these Embassies’ respective countries.
Ambassador Lopez traced the transformation and steady rise of the Philippines since 2010 as one of the fastest-growing and most downturn-resilient economies not just in Asia but globally, on the back of the reforms and confidence generated by the Aquino Administration’s commitment to good governance principles.
Ambassador Lopez addresses visiting GRIPS Graduate Students
The Philippine Envoy also briefed students on recent developments in Philippine-Japan relations. Citing sustained upward trade, investment and development assistance figures, as well as the pledges of new projects and enhanced security cooperation sealed during State Visit of President Aquino to Japan last June, Ambassador Lopez provided a succinct but compelling picture of the new heights that the two countries have attained.
“As we approach 60 years of official relations, our ties are now doubtless at their highest point”, the Ambassador proudly declared.
Amb. Lopez with visiting GRIPS Graduate Students. Also in the photo are Political Officer Mr. Josel F. Ignacio, Economic Officer Mr. Arnel M. Sanchez, and Administrative Officer Mr. Dominic Xavier M. Imperial.
GRIPS’ students have demonstrated a keen interest in Philippine affairs. In 2014, the Institute’s International Student Council also gave Ambassador Lopez the privilege of delivering one of the inaugural lectures of its Ambassador Lecture Series.
GRIPS is one of Japan’s most esteemed international research hubs, and has built a reputation for training public policy leaders and professionals who have helped contribute to their home countries’ democratic governance. The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo and the Institute has nurtured close cooperative relations and undertaken projects over the years. END
