JUNE 2 (Eagle News) — President Aquino left for Tokyo, Japan on Tuesday morning for a four-day state visit that aims to attract more Japanese investments to the Philippines and tackle concerns on the South China Sea issue.
The government has earmarked P34.6 million for Aquino’s state visit to Tokyo from June 2 to 5 at the invitation of the Japanese government.
According to Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, the amount covers expenses for transportation, accommodation, food, equipment, and other requirements of the Chief Executive and his 60-member delegation.
“President Aquino’s visit is anticipated to further enhance our ties with Japan, who has been a decades-long strategic partner of the Philippines,” Ochoa said.
The Chief Executive departed at 10 a.m. at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 in Pasay City on board a chartered Philippine Airlines Flight PR001.
In his departure speech, the President said he will meet with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, as well as with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and address the joint session of the National Diet, Japan’s bicameral legislature.
He will also meet with business executives grouped in the Nippon Keidanren, Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Keizai Doyukai, and Boekikai to invite them to invest in the country.
“Personal nating ipababatid ang panibagong sigla sa ating ekonomiya at kalakhang lipunan,” he said, noting that according to Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel Lopez, they get many inquiries regarding investment opportunities in the Philippines.
President Aquino said he will also deliver a keynote address during the Nikkei 21st International Conference on the Future of Asia, which is organized by Japan’s biggest media group.
“Ibabahagi po natin doon ang mga repormang ipinatupad natin sa ating pamahalaan, na nagbunga ng positibong pagbabago para sa ating mga kababayan. Sa pamamagitan nito, maipakikita natin ang ating kahandaang makiambag sa magaganap na integrasyon sa ating rehiyon,” he said.
He also announced that he will receive the “Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum,” Japan’s highest order.
“Ang karangalang ito ay hindi lamang pagkilala sa mga nagawa ko bilang indibidwal, kundi, at mas importante, pati na rin sa kolektibong pakikilahok ng bawat disenteng Pilipino upang isulong ang kaunlaran, kapayapaan, at demokrasya,” he said.
In return, he said, the Order of Lakandula (rank of Supremo) will be conferred on Emperor Akihito, and the Order of Sikatuna (rank of Rajah) on Prime Minister Abe in recognition of their contributions to the strengthening of Philippine-Japanese ties.
“Ang palitan ng parangal na ito ay sagisag din ng lalo pang tumitibay na pagkakaibigan sa pagitan ng ating mga bansa at mamamayan,” he said.
The President further said that he will meet with members of the Filipino community in Japan and check on the nine Filipino cadets at the National Defense Academy of Japan, under an exchange program with the Philippine Military Academy.
“Makakaasa po kayo sa pagpapatibay ng ating ugnayan sa ibang mga bansa, mas mahusay nating matutugunan ang mga darating na hamon at mas mapapalapit tayo sa katuparan ng pinapangarap nating mas maunlad na Pilipinas,” he said.
The President was accompanied by Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura del Rosario, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., and chief of the Presidential Management Staff Julia Abad.
At the airport to send off the President were Vice President Jejomar Binay and the Japanese Embassy’s Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission Tetsuro Amano.
President Aquino is scheduled to return on Friday, June 5. (Eagle News Service with reports from PND)