During this official visit, I will continue to pursue President Arroyo’s vision for the Philippines’ relations with a key partner in the region – a vision of an enabling and mutually beneficial partnership firmly grounded on confidence, respect, trust and friendship.

        My meeting in Tokyo with Foreign Minister Taro Aso comes at a time of great promise for the further expansion of our bilateral relations.

        Our countries commemorate 50 years of normalization of diplomatic relations this year, and as we celebrate Philippines-Japan Friendship Year, we look forward to building on the cooperation and collaboration that have been the hallmarks of our friendship for the last five decades.

        I shall seek to further enhance our partnership with Japan across areas of mutual interest and concern.

        In trade and investment, we look forward to generating increased Japanese interest in the Philippines, particularly in the power generation and telecommunications sectors.

        In our shared commitment with Japan to resolutely turn back the tide against those who seek to sow fear and terror in the hearts and minds of peoples across the region, we shall endeavor to strengthen cooperation and capacity-building to address the threats of terrorism, piracy, transnational crime and other emerging threats.

        In this regard, I look forward to discussing comprehensively with Foreign Minister Aso the convening of the 2nd Politico-Security Dialogue in Tokyo this month.

        I will also discuss with Foreign Minister Aso how we can further advance our shared agenda of peace and development for the countryside and in the Southern Philippines.  We are looking at signing the Philippines-Japan Agreement on Technical Cooperation on this visit.

        The promotion and protection of the rights and well-being of our nationals in Japan is a cornerstone of Philippine Foreign Policy.  On this visit, I shall therefore seek opportunities for further safeguarding our Filipinos in Japan and explore the possibilities of improved cooperation in consular and labor matters.

        Of course, I will renew and reaffirm our friendship and shared aspirations with Japan in my meetings with various officials of the Japanese Government.  I will underscore the importance of further strengthening the meaningful and mature relationship we have nurtured through these years.  END