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Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya’s speech during the 82nd Araw ng Kagitingan commemoration at the Mount Samat National Shrine in Pilar, Bataan

(Part 2)

IN LINE with our commitment to create a brighter future for both our peoples, Japan is determined to elevate our bilateral relations to further heights, by giving rise to greater opportunities for cooperation in a wider range of areas, including people-to-people exchanges, trade and investment, infrastructure building, maritime law enforcement, and defense cooperation.

Contributions to world peace

We, the Japanese people, are determined to never allow the devastation of war to be repeated ever again for the sake of present and future generations. By upholding the international order based on the rule of law, Japan and the Philippines, together with other like-minded countries become united partners in building a world founded on peace, harmony, and goodwill.

As we face difficult international situations around the world, such as those in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as the complex security environment in the Indo-Pacific region, including in the East and South China Seas, and over Taiwan Strait, Japan reaffirms its commitment to maintain and strengthen the rule-based international and maritime order that we have protected together for decades. We must never allow any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force.

With this in mind, our trilateral cooperation with the Philippines and the United States serves as a symbol of our shared commitment to promote a free and open international order based on the rule of law. To showcase our testament in further strengthening trilateral cooperation, we look forward to the historic, first-ever Japan-Philippines-US Summit meeting with the participation of His Excellency, President Marcos, the day after tomorrow. Together, we will continuously work towards steadily materializing cooperative efforts in the areas of defense, strategic infrastructure, cyber, economic security, and energy.

Conclusion

Let us seize this moment to reaffirm our commitment as strategic partners, an ally, and friends in building a future preserving the peace and prosperity in the region.

I believe that this is the best tribute we can offer to the souls of those who passed away in the fighting that took place here 82 years ago.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I reassure you all that Japan and the Philippines will continue to cooperate fully in ensuring greater progress and prosperity for our nations and the world at large, in times of both crises and prosperity.

Once again, please allow me to express my sincere gratitude and respect to all the veterans who fought for the peace of the nation and the world.

Mabuhay ang pagkakaibigan ng Japan at Pilipinas !! (Long live the friendship of Japan and the Philippines)

Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat.