CONSULATE GENERAL OF JAPAN INAUGURAL RECEPTION

THE RECEPTION TO FORMALLY OPEN THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF JAPAN WAS A HIGH-PROFILE AFFAIR WITH GOVERNMENT VIPS FROM JAPAN AND THE PHILIPPINES IN ATTENDANCE.

What: Cocktail reception to formally open the Consulate General of Japan in Davao

Where: The Grand Ballroom of Waterfront Insular Hotel

Who came: government officials, Mindanao’s diplomatic corps, corporate and media guests

In his speech, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono shared that when the Japanese migrated to Davao around 1903, it had the largest Japanese community in Asia with a population of 20,000. A consular office was opened in 1920 with Michael Shibasaki as the first chief officer.

Coincidentally, the newly-opened Consulate General’s first chief officer, Yoshiaki Miwa, is related to the Shibasaki by affinity. He is Miwa’s father-inlaw’s uncle. “Is must be fate, or karma,” the foreign minister said in jest.

“Our friendship is precious and that is why Japan will always stand by the Philippines and Mindanao. Japan has been consistently supporting sustainable economic development of the Philippines and Mindanao’s peace process,” Kono said, also expressing his highest hopes that the evening’s reception will provide opportunities to further develop the friendship and that the newly-opened Consulate General of Japan will serve the people of Mindanao for many years to come.

DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. said, “The opening of the Consulate General speaks of the importance Japan attaches not only to the city of Davao as a growing center of economic activity, but to the entire Land of Promise that is Mindanao. Japan’s record of unfailing support for Mindanao spanning the peace process, development assistance, investments and cultural engagement has been unrivaled.”

Mayor Sara Duterte congratulated the local Japanese community that consular office of Japan in Davao is now recognized as a full-fledged Consulate General. “The establishment of the Consulate General of Japan in Davao will further broaden the horizons of our partnership,” she said, “We thank you for the confidence you placed in us.

The confidence that our bilateral relations will, in one way or another, contribute in accelerating the economic development of both our countries.”

The personal trivia shared that evening gave the affair a relaxing air. The crowd loved the confessions of Foreign Minister Kono and Mayor Duterte. The Japanese loves durian while the Mayor of the Land of Durian doesn’t eat durian.

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A toast after Kagamibiraki, the sake barrel breaking ceremony. Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda; Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III; Japanese Consul General Yoshiaki Miwa; Philippine Ambassador to Japan Jose Laurel V; Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea; Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono; DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr.; Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte; MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad

MinDA Secretary Datu Abdul Khayr Alonto; DFA Sec. Teodoro Locsin, Jr.; Australian AmbassadorDesignate Steven Robinson; Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono; Thai Deputy Chief of Mission Urawadee Sriphiromya; Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte; & Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda

Japanese Consul General Yoshiaki Miwa with Judge Antonina Oshita-Escovilla, awardee of the Order of the Rising Sun Gold Rays with Rosette, and her family.

Betty Medialdea, Exec. Sec. Salvador Medialdea, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono & Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda