Embassy Conducts Briefing for Vice-Mayors on PH-Japan Relations
21 May 2015 – The Embassy conducted a briefing on Philippines-Japan relations for members of the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines (VLMP) who visited Japan on 18 May 2015 as part of the VLMP’s program “Building Capacities of Local Leaders Towards Good Governance: An International Benchmarking Program for Local Government Officials.”
The vice-mayors were organized in two batches with the first batch visiting Japan from 18-22 May 2015 and the second from 20-24 May 2015. The VLMP members along with key local administration officials focused their study-visit on Japan’s solid waste management program that included visits to and briefings on the operations of the Tamagawa Incineration Plant and Minato Incineration Plant in Tokyo.
Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez welcomed the two batches of vice mayors who called on him at the Embassy in Roppongi, Tokyo. During the dialogue with the first batch (photo right) on 19 May 2015, Amb. Lopez stressed the strong and vibrant relations of the Philippines and Japan. The Ambassador informed the vice mayors that Japan is the top trading partner of the Philippines with exports of construction materials and wooden products, semiconductors and integrated circuits, automotive electric components, copper ores and concentrates, food products, life style and home furnishings, among other export products. He also informed the local executives that Japan is the largest source of official development assistance and has provided technical and educational support for the peace process in Mindanao especially in the efforts towards the Bangsa Moro Basic Law.
In the meeting with the second batch on 21 May 2015 (photo left), Amb. Lopez focussed on the close cooperation of the Philippines and Japan in efforts to ensure maritime security, peace and stability in the region emphasizing on the importance of the rule of law and the peaceful settlement of maritime disputes. He also noted the increasing number of Filipino visitors to Japan that resulted from the relaxation of tourist visa and the increase in Japanese trade and investments in the Philippines as a result of the policy of good governance, accountability and transparency of the administration. The Ambassador encouraged the vice mayors to learn from Japan’s local government programs especially on waste management and recycling.
The Ambassador was assisted in the briefing for the vice mayors by DCM Gilberto Asuque, Consul General Joy Tirol-Ignacio, Vice Consul Dominic Imperial, Labor Attaché Luz Talento and Agriculture Attaché Dr. Samuel Animas.
