Japan's Kishida: PH-Japan ties at a 'golden age'

The Philippines and Japan’s bilateral ties overcame difficult times en route to today's "golden age" relationship, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Saturday.

Kishida made the statement during his address before the special joint session of Congress, making him the first-ever Japanese Prime Minister to deliver a speech before the Philippine Congress.

Kishida recognized Japan’s past behaviors and the forgiveness that the Philippines extended in the aftermath of the Japanese occupation of the Philippines from 1942 to 1945.

“Looking back over the long history of our bilateral relationship, it has not always been smooth sailing. We cannot forget the endeavor of our predecessors based on the spirit of tolerance, including the pardon of Japanese war criminals by President [Elpidio] Quirino in 1953, which paved the way for our two countries to overcome difficult times and build the friendly relationship we enjoy today,” Kishida said.

“Today, Japan-Philippines relations have reached the point of being called a 'golden age.' The Philippines, with the second largest population among ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian) countries and more than 300,000 citizens living in Japan, is an irreplaceable partner for Japan,” Kishida added.

Since the 1953 pardon, Kishida said exchanges between the peoples of the two countries had been unwavering.

He cited the Philippines sending a medical team and Filipino caregiver candidates who extended assistance to Japan during the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011.

Kishida said Japan reciprocated this generosity by providing aid to the Philippines when the country was devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013.

“When Typhoon Yolanda struck in 2013, Japanese people from the disaster-stricken area of Tohoku went to the Philippines to assist in the recovery and reconstruction efforts. This kind of relationship is what former Prime Minister of Japan Fukuda articulated, a 'heart to heart' relationship,” Kishida said.

“I believe that it is the responsibility of those living in the present, to take the 'heart-to-heart ties' established by our predecessors to new heights and pass them on to the next generation,” Kishida added.

In response, Speaker Martin Romualdez of Leyte expressed appreciation for Kishida’s kind words.

“In the spirit of unity and partnership, we extend our sincere and heartfelt appreciation to his excellency, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio,” Romualdez said.

“With reverence and hope for our shared future, today's discourse fortifies the bridge between our great nations,” Romualdez added.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III also welcomed Kishida’s speech.

“It was a great speech. Well balanced,” Pimentel said.

“We are glad that Japan is a very good friend of the Philippines,” Pimentel added. — DVM, GMA Integrated News