Kazuhiko Koshikawa, Japanese envoy to the Philippines, is now trying to reconnect Japan with the outside world since the Land of the Rising Sun started easing its borders in October amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
In fact, it was Koshikawa himself who urged Filipinos to "come and discover the many charms" of his country when it lifted on October 11 the suspension on the validity of multiple-entry visas.
The policy to shut down borders from the other countries was imposed at the height of the pandemic in 2020, the same year Koshikawa arrived in Manila after being designated as the Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines.
Upon his arrival, he vowed to "further galvanize the foundations" that make the bilateral ties of the Philippines and Japan special.
"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," he said.
Prior to his posting, Koshikawa had been the Japanese envoy to Spain from 2014 to 2016 and to Angola from 2008 to 2011.
He also served as the Executive Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Fondly called "Ambassador Kaz," Koshikawa is a cool figure from the embassy, having once photographed having a play time with a Pikachu mascot at his residence in Makati City. With his wife, he also posed with a Doraemon mask to promote the children's favorite Japanese manga series, which was also recently featured on Netflix.
In late September, he also rode an MRT on Taft Avenue. He likes trying Filipino delicacies, such as ensaymada, halo-halo and lechon.
The envoy is also active on Twitter spreading news about the Japanese government's activities in the Philippines, including its partnership with the military as well as farmers and the promotion of the country's culture and arts. Among places he had already been to were Davao City in Davao, Vigan in Ilocos Sur and Cebu.
He has already met with the new government officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Vice President Sara Duterte and some members of the Congress.
Koshikawa's appointment as envoy to the Philippines was announced by the Japanese government a month before he arrived in Manila. He succeeded Koji Haneda for the position.