New Consul General of Japan to visit all Visayas provinces
The new ConsulGeneral of Japan in Cebu, Hideaki Matsuo, aims to promote the relationship between Japan and the Philippines especially in the Visayas Region through different fields.
In his introductory message to the people of the Visayas Region, the new consul-general said he has been into foreign services since 1987.
Matsuo has served in several countries including Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Myanmar and Australia before his assignment here in the Philippines replacing Hideki Yamaji who ended his term last October 21, 2023.
Matsuo assumed office late January 2024, just after the famous Sinulog festival, he said.
“During my tenure as the Consul-General, I have a mission to achieve, i.e., to promote the relationship between Japan and the Philippines, especially the Visayas Region, in the fields of economy, culture, Japanese language, etc,” Matsuo said.
Matsuo admitted that to be able to achieve his mission, he also needs “to learn about the region, people, culture, nature, food, and many more.”
To start his mission right, the new ConsulGeneral in Cebu paid a courtesy call to Ambassador of the Philippines to Japan Mylene Garcia-Albano in Tokyo.
The two exchanged views to further improve the relations between the two countries.
When he arrived in Cebu, Matsuo offered flowers to the memorial statue of “Cebu Kannon” (Goddess of Mercy) at Marco Polo Plaza, the memorial monument of 14th Division Southern Army Hospital at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center and the FilipinoJapanese Memorial Monument at the Plaza Independencia here.
The new ConsulGeneral also prayed for all the victims of the war and for the continuous friendship between Japan and the Philippines accordingly.
On the first day of February, Matsuo paid Gov. Gwen Garcia a courtesy visit at the Capitol on Thursday.
Matsuo expressed commitment to foster strong bilateral ties and looks forward to continuing fruitful exchanges between Japan and the Visayas Region.
The day after, Matsuo proceeded to visit the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, Undersecretary Terrence C. Calatrava.
The two accordingly discussed cooperation and closer relations between Japan and the Visayas.
Matsuo said he hopes to pay visits to all the provinces of the Visayas Region and at the same time look forward to meeting the people that have already established relations with Japan as well as those that they may have future relations with.
Matsuo said he will also be posting his activities over Facebook and his office’s website.
Aside from his own activities here, he hopes the locals will also follow their website and social media page and enjoy new dimensions of Japan and Philippines’ relations.