Kabilang sa mga tinalakay ni Japan Ambassador to the Philippines sa GMA Integrated News interviews ang mga laman ng Reciprocal Access Agreement o RAA ng Pilipinas at Japan, at ang reaksyon ng Japan sa naunang pahayag ng China na hindi anila dapat mangialam ang Japan sa mga isyu sa pagitan ng China at Pilipinas. Mapapadali na rin kaya ang pagkuha ng mga Pilipino ng Visa para makabisita sa Japan?
Panoorin ang FULL exclusive interview ni GMA Integrated News anchor Vicky Morales kay Japan Ambassador to PH Endo Kazuya.
Panoorin ang FULL exclusive interview ni GMA Integrated News anchor Vicky Morales kay Japan Ambassador to PH Endo Kazuya.
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NewsTranscript
00:00Top foreign affairs and defense officials of both our countries met recently, and one
00:08of the highlights of this meeting was the signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement
00:13or RAA, which basically allows Japanese forces to train with their Filipino counterparts.
00:19Now I'd like to know what impact will the RAA have on the Philippines as far as the
00:24West Philippine Sea is concerned in the face of external threats?
00:28The West Philippine-Philippine RAA is designed to facilitate cooperative activities between
00:34Japan's Self-Defense Forces and the Philippine Armed Forces, such as joint exercises, humanitarian
00:42assistance through setting procedures on their mutual visits as well as their legal status,
00:50thereby enhancing interoperability of the two forces.
00:55By implementing this RAA, it is expected that security and defense cooperation between the
01:04two nations will be further promoted, and such cooperation will serve as a solid basis
01:12of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
01:16Specifically, by ratifying RAA, Japan's Self-Defense Forces will be allowed to participate into
01:25the high-end parts of the joint exercises.
01:29Currently, Japan's Self-Defense Forces is able to join these exercises only in the portion
01:37of HADR, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief purpose.
01:43Through RAA, Japan's Self-Defense Forces will be able to conduct a wider range of activities,
01:51and it will deepen our bilateral and multilateral defense cooperations with allies and like-minded partners.
02:00Can you tell us how soon we can start seeing some activity as far as the RAA is concerned?
02:05It depends on the approval process of our respective Congress and Diet in their respective countries,
02:13but I hope that we can further promote the defense and security cooperations in the near future.
02:20Mr. Ambassador, I'd like to talk about the incident at Ayungin last June 17, wherein
02:24China interrupted a Philippine resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre.
02:29Now, I'd like to tell you that Japan was one of several nations that openly condemned China,
02:35but shortly after that, China issued a statement saying that Japan has no right to meddle in
02:41maritime issues between the Philippines and China.
02:44What's your government's reaction to this?
02:46Japan's position on this matter has been very consistent, and Japan believes that the
02:51issue concerning the South China Sea is directly related to the peace and stability in the
03:00region, and is a legitimate concern to all the parties of the international community.
03:06And thus, Japan opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or by coercive
03:15actions, as well as any actions that will increase the tensions in the region.
03:21This is why Japan reiterated serious concerns over repeated actions which obstruct freedom
03:29of navigation and increase regional tensions, including recent dangerous actions in Ayungin
03:35Shoal that resulted in damages to the Filipino vessel and injuries to the Filipinos on board.
03:44So I'd like to know, what does Japan have to gain from making a stand as far as this
03:49issue is concerned?
03:51For us, upholding the rules-based maritime order in this region particularly is in the
03:58interest of Japan, and it is very much important for us to support the country that is respecting
04:08the rules of law in the maritime sphere.
04:11Just like the Philippines, Japan also faces its own territorial dispute with China over
04:15the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.
04:18What are some of the measures Japan has taken which probably can be applied to the Philippines?
04:23Firstly, there is no doubt that the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea are clearly
04:31an inherent part of the territory of Japan in light of historical fact and based on international
04:40law.
04:41Indeed, the Senkaku Islands are under the valid control of Japan since 1895, therefore
04:49there exists no issue of territorial sovereignty to be resolved concerning the Senkaku Islands.
04:56But at the same time, as you know, Chinese Coast Guard vessels have been around that
05:02region and have intruded into our territorial water around those islands.
05:10Against those incidents, Japan has and will continue to act firmly and calmly to maintain
05:19its territorial integrity.
05:22Japan continues to strive for peace and stability in the region, which is to be established
05:27through the observance of international law.
05:32From this point of view, Japan highly appreciates the government of the Philippines for having
05:37consistently complied with the arbitral award in 2016.
05:45I'd like to know, Mr. Ambassador, what can the Philippines learn from Japan as far as
05:49dealing with the situation is concerned?
05:54I think we are facing various similar challenges in the maritime sphere, East China Sea, South
06:03China Sea, but at the same time, the situation in Japan and in the Philippines are not exactly
06:13identical, of course.
06:17Japan and China have established some frameworks, including fishery treaties or the rescue
06:29agreements between the two countries.
06:31So that might be something that we can work together.
06:34I see.
06:35Okay.
06:36All right.
06:37Now, the RAA is said to be the equivalent of the VFA, which the Philippines has with
06:41the United States.
06:42But one of the more controversial provisions of the VFA is the matter of custody of foreign
06:48soldiers who commit wrongdoing.
06:50Now, I'd like to know, how does the RAA treat cases like this?
06:54Under RAA, the authorities of Japan and the Philippines shall assist each other in the
07:02arrest of members of the visiting forces in the receiving states and in handing them over
07:10to the authority, which is to exercise jurisdiction.
07:13Also, both countries shall assist each other in the carrying out of all necessary procedures,
07:21investigations, interferences allegedly committed by a member of the visiting force.
07:29Both countries are eligible to exercise their jurisdiction in accordance under Article 21
07:36of the agreement.
07:37Sorry to be a bit technical about the remark, but put it very simply, the sending state
07:48holds the primary jurisdiction of offenses and arising out of any act or commission done
07:57in the performance of official duties.
08:01The receiving state can exercise a primary jurisdiction over offenses which are not related
08:07to official duties.
08:09That's the basic arrangement of the jurisdiction.
08:17It's quite different from the VFA in that sense.
08:20Are there other features, maybe unique features, that the RAA has that make it different from
08:26the VFA?
08:27Actually, the RAA is also quite similar to the VFA.
08:35One other aspect is related to the rights of defendants.
08:39The person shall be entitled to a prompt and speedy trial as well as other rights under
08:45the criminal procedures of both countries.
08:49Furthermore, the receiving state shall, in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular
08:56Relations, grant consular offices of the sending state the right to visit a member
09:03of the visiting force who is in prison, custody, or detention.
09:09Does Japan also have an RAA with other nations aside from the Philippines?
09:13Yes.
09:14There's been a steep rise in the number of Filipinos living in Japan over the past 10
09:19years.
09:20What are the opportunities in Japan for Filipino workers and perhaps even students?
09:24First of all, I wish to extend sincere appreciation of ours to all the Filipino workers in Japan.
09:31The energy and warmth of foreign talent, especially Filipinos, are making a huge difference to
09:40Japan's struggle with declining birth rate, demography challenges.
09:49Filipinos have exceptional skills, a work ethic, and a lack of learning Nihongo.
09:55And Japan is dealing with labor shortages in many fields such as nursing care, construction,
10:05and manufacturing.
10:06And Filipino workers are stepping up to fill these gaps.
10:11And resident status categories under the EPA Economic Partnership Agreement, TITP, Technical
10:19Intern Training Program, or SSW, Specified Skilled Workers, are helping Filipinos come
10:28to Japan, gain valuable experience, and boost economy.
10:32And from our viewpoint, thanks to the efforts of Department of Migrant Workers, Philippine
10:40Recruitment Agencies, Japanese Language Institutes, and other related organizations, Japan has
10:48continued to be an attractive place of work for the Filipino workers.
10:55And we believe it is crucial for Japan to continue highlighting Japan's cultural, natural,
11:02safety, and economic appeal to ensure that the Filipinos see Japan as a promising destination
11:11for employment.
11:12Likewise, Japan also offers fantastic opportunities for students, supported by the Japanese government
11:23scholarships.
11:24And these full scholarships cover undergraduate and graduate students, as well as those training
11:32for teachers.
11:33And it's been a while since 1954.
11:40This program has built stronger ties between our two countries.
11:44And there are lots of very prominent alumni of these programs, like Dr. Jose Camacho from
11:55UPLB, or Dr. Fidel Nemenza from UP Diliman, who have done incredible academic works in
12:03this country.
12:04And in addition to these, various scholarship programs have also been provided by JICA,
12:11Japan International Cooperation Agency.
12:15And these opportunities for workers, as well as for students, are not just about individual
12:23successes.
12:24It will strengthen the bonds between Japan and the Philippines, and promoting economic
12:32growth and cultural exchanges.
12:35And I would like to further strengthen the ties in these aspects.
12:43Japan has become one of the top tourist destinations for Filipinos.
12:47Is there any effort to make it easier for Filipinos to acquire visas to Japan?
12:54Since I arrived in Manila, it's been three months or four months, whenever I make a visit
13:03or courtesy calls to secretaries or senators or whoever, there are many people around them
13:10saying that, I've just visited Japan.
13:13In my capacity, I would also like to exert my effort to further promote the interests
13:20among the Filipino people into Japan through tourism, through, as we have just mentioned,
13:27the employment, et cetera.
13:29And so promotion of people-to-people exchanges is really the foundation of our bilateral
13:37relations.
13:39And I would further like to make our own efforts for that direction.
13:45And I feel delightful to be able to inform you that a record high number of Filipinos,
13:52namely about 340,000 Filipinos, visited Japan between January and May this year, according
14:03to the recent statistics.
14:05And the Japanese government continues its support to enable more Filipinos to visit
14:11Japan.
14:12For example, in June this year, a new category was introduced to issue multiple entry visas
14:21for stay up to 90 days.
14:25So our government is also continuously improving the convenience of visa applications for easier
14:31travel to Japan.
14:34And through those efforts, we would like to further encourage more Filipinos making visits
14:39to Japan.
14:40Oh, wonderful.
14:41Yes, thank you very much for that.
14:42Now, I'd like to know, what can we look forward to as far as the Philippines-Japan Economic
14:48Partnership Agreement is concerned?
14:51Oh, okay.
14:55I think the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement is one of the first bilateral EPA
15:04for the Philippines.
15:05And it came into effect in December 2008 and has contributed significantly to the development
15:14of trade and investment relations between our two nations.
15:19And with regard to the review of this Economic Partnership Agreement, I think it is crucial
15:27to ensure that the benefits to both sides will be balanced.
15:33And we would like to continue to communicate with the Philippine government on this matter.
15:39And it's something that we've been communicating quite for a while.
15:45What's the status of this right now and how will it benefit the Philippines and perhaps
15:49even Japan?
15:50The Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership has allowed many of the goods and equipments
16:00to be imported or exported with lower tariffs, which has made a contribution for the promotion
16:10of the trade between our two nations.
16:12And that applies to many goods and services.
16:17Would you say it's improving much more now compared to previous years?
16:21Japan and the Philippines have been closely connected in the economic terms.
16:26And the Japanese companies are also very much interested in making investment in this
16:31country, partly thanks to the government's position to further encourage foreign investment
16:40in this country.
16:41Our countries are quite vulnerable to natural disasters.
16:45Are there any joint initiatives between the Philippines and Japan with regard to disaster
16:50preparedness and perhaps even climate change?
16:53I believe that Japan and the Philippines also share a lot of elements in common.
17:00Japan is also a country which faces so much challenges of the natural disasters like the
17:09earthquakes, flooding, typhoons sometimes, and we also have volcanoes that can erupt.
17:18Japan has been a long-term partner of the Philippines in disaster risk reduction.
17:23For instance, even in the Metro Manila region, Japan has been implementing flood control
17:31measures for the passing Marikina River Channel for over 20 years.
17:39An estimate related to Typhoon Ulysses in 2020 suggests that this project reduced economic
17:48losses by 80 percent, more than one billion U.S. dollars.
17:54The same estimate indicates that without this project, one million people would have been
18:02affected by the flood, whereas the actual number was around 30,000.
18:08So this project has been very much successful in the sense of preparedness to the flooding.
18:17Besides this, we are currently working on various other disaster risk reduction projects
18:23in flood control, road disaster management with DPWH, as well as technical cooperation
18:31with OCD, Office of Civil Defense.
18:35Japan is committed to collaborating with the Philippines to build a more resilient society
18:42against disasters.
18:44And with regard to climate change, we are aware that the Philippines has set a high
18:51target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent from 2020 level by 2030.
19:03Out of this 75 percent, 2.7 percent is to be achieved through the country's own efforts,
19:11domestic efforts, and the remaining 72.3 percent is to be achieved through technical
19:20cooperation from developed countries.
19:23Therefore, we would like to contribute to the achievement of your country's goals through
19:29Japan's advanced technological capabilities and support in this field.
19:35As climate change measures, Japan is currently implementing projects to properly manage
19:41and conserve forests, for example, and reduce emissions through the construction of subways,
19:49north-south commuter railways, and Japan and the Philippines are also implementing the
19:56joint crediting mechanism, which is to enhance the investment in this field.
20:03The Philippine government plans to look into nuclear energy.
20:07Now, given Japan's experience with nuclear power plants, would you support the Philippine
20:13efforts as far as this is concerned?
20:15In light of the accident at Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear
20:23power plant, it is important for the government to take responsibility for improving safety
20:31and communication with local communities without falling prey to safety myths.
20:39It is Japan's responsibility to share these experiences and lessons learned with the rest
20:46of the world, thereby contributing to the improvement of nuclear safety around the world.
20:53In cooperation with the United States, Japan plans to support the establishment of infrastructure
21:00for the introduction of nuclear power in the Philippines.
21:04Specifically, we plan to dispatch experts to seminars in the Philippines and invite
21:11Philippine energy officials to Japan in order to have the communications and exchange of
21:18views and exchange lessons learned, and we can also train some people from the Philippines.
21:26We would like to contribute to the peaceful use of energy by sharing Japan's technology
21:32and knowledge with countries like the Philippines that have shown interest to use nuclear energy.
21:45What learnings from the Fukushima incident can you possibly share with the Philippines?
21:51There are lots of lessons learned, but I think it's very important for the Philippines
21:59first to have good infrastructure for regulations and the management of the nuclear power plants,
22:11and I think with regard to the lessons learned from the incident in 2011, we have to prepare
22:21for the unexpected, huge natural disasters that can happen anywhere in the world.
22:33But with the sufficient preparations, I think nuclear energy is something that can make
22:42contributions to various fields.
22:45How has your stay been so far?
22:47It's been a very enjoyable stay in this country, and the Filipino people are very much kind
22:53to us, and Japan has also been making a great contribution to the development of this country,
23:01and thanks to my predecessors and thanks to the wider Japanese communities in this country,
23:09I am very much enjoying this country.
23:12And my greatest thanks, of course, goes to the Filipino people who have been supporting
23:19me, my wife, and the entire embassy staff.
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