Speaker reaffirms strong strategic ties with Japan

SPEAKER Martin G. Romualdez on Tuesday assured Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko and his team that the Philippines will continue its strategic economic partnership with Japan.

“It’s really great that Japan remains and has been one of the country’s foremost
trade, investment and development partners for a very long time. Through strategic policy reforms, we will improve the business climate in the Philippines to attract more direct investments from Japan,” Romualdez
said.

Ambassador Koshikawa paid a courtesy call on Romualdez at the House of Representatives Tuesday afternoon.

They were joined by Kuronuma Kenji, Senior Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA); Akihiko Hitomi, First Secretary; and Yukari Koike, Political Officer, during the courtesy call.

Romualdez and Ambassador Koshikawa discussed the long-standing bilateral and inter-parliamentary relations between the Philippines and Japan and vowed to further strengthen ties and expand the two countries areas of cooperation.

In 2021, total trade with Japan amounted to US$21.83 billion, up by 17.1% from the 2020 figure of US$18.65 billion, making Japan the 2nd largest trading partner of the Philippines in 2021.

Exports and imports were valued at US$10.73 billion and US$18.65 billion, respectively. Compared to 2020 levels, exports increased by 7%, while imports went up by 28.9%.

Romualdez also thanked the Japanese government through JICA for the “immediate response in providing humanitarian assistance” to the Philippines following the recent earthquake in Northern Luzon.

“We deeply appreciate the aid provided and acknowledge the strong cooperation with Japan on humanitarian assistance and disaster response,” he said.

The Speaker also extended his sincerest condolences on the passing of former Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Abe passed away on July 8. He was 67.

Earlier, the House of representatives adopted House Resolution (HR) No. 121 principally introduced by Speaker Romualdez, House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe and House Minority Leader and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan, and senior Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos extending their deepest condolences to former Prime Minister Abe’s wife, Akie Abe, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and the people of Japan.