Japan sends condolences, sympathies in wake of MSU blast

Japan on Monday sent its condolences to the families of those who died and sympathies to those who were hurt in the bomb attack at the Mindanao State University over the weekend.

In a statement, Press Secretary Maki Kobayashi of the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines said Japan condemned "terrorism in all its forms.

"Japan prays for deceased people and expresses its sincere condolences to the bereaved families. Japan also extends its heartfelt sympathy to those injured," Kobayashi said.

"Attacks against innocent citizens are unacceptable for any reason, and Japan firmly condemns terrorism in all its forms," she added.

Kobayashi said Japan would continue to support the peace process in Mindanao.

"Stability in Mindanao is linked to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific," Kobayashi said.

The embassy said Japan contributed to the advancement of the peace process and to the reconstruction and development of Mindanao.

These efforts include: 

• the dispatch of experts to the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB);
• the dispatch of development experts to the Social and Economic Development Section of the International Monitoring Team; 
• the concentrated implementation of economic cooperation projects such as extending Grassroots Grant Assistance for Human Security in conflict-affected areas (Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD)); and 
• participation in the International Contact Group (ICG) that provides advice by attending peace talks as an observer. 

"In the Japan-Philippines Joint Statement issued during President Marcos’ visit to Japan in February 2023, the Government of Japan expressed its commitment to strengthening, in ways commensurate to the substantive progress of the peace process, its support toward facilitating cooperation such as vocational training for livelihood improvement and industrial development," the embassy said.

"The Government of Japan also announced the provision of heavy machinery for disaster prevention and recovery equipment for the socio-economic development of the Bangsamoro Muslim Mindanao Autonomous Region during Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to the Philippines in November 2023," it added.