The new Japanese ambassador to the Philippines arrived in Manila Thursday.
Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa vowed to "further galvanize the foundations" that make the bilateral ties of the Philippines and Japan special.
"It is my great honor and privilege to be appointed Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines. The relationship between our two countries is a shining example of cooperation and mutual understanding that our forebears have nurtured. I am delighted to have this opportunity to scale new heights of the bilateral relations and forge even closer friendship," Koshikawa said.
He had been the Japanese ambassador Spain from 2014 to 2016 and Angola from 2008 to 2011.
Koshikawa also served as the Executive Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
His appointment to the Philippines was announced by the Japanese government last month. Koshikawa will succeed Ambassador Koji Haneda who will end his term this month.