Duterte receives credentials of Japan's new ambassador to PH
By Roy Mabasa
Japanese Ambassador-designate Koshikawa Kazuhiko formally presented to President Duterte his credentials as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of the Philippines at Malacañang Palace on Monday, December 14, 2020.
(KING RODRIGUEZ / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
During the presentation, Koshikawa stated that he would make efforts in increasing bilateral trade and investment and promoting cooperation on various issues such as infrastructure development, disaster risk reduction, medical and health sector, agriculture, Mindanao peace process, and peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
President Duterte welcomed the Japanese diplomat to the country as he described Japan as a “friend that is closer than a brother.”
The Chief Executive also appreciated Japan’s assistance to the government’s COVID19 (coronavirus disease 2019) response and support for developing agendas of the Philippines.
Before his designation to the Philippines, Koshikawa served as Executive Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
He was posted as Ambassador of Japan to Spain and Angola, in the periods 2014-2016 and 2008-2011, respectively.
Shortly after he arrived in Manila last month, Koshikawa expressed his firm commitment to building on the foundations of the long-standing partnership between Japan and the Philippines.
“As my diplomatic mission here in the Philippines begins, I shall exert every possible effort to further galvanize the foundations that make our bilateral ties special. I look forward to working with the people of the Philippines in realizing my commitments,” the new Japanese envoy said.