What: Cocktail reception to formally open the Consulate General of Japan in Davao
Where: The Grand Ballroom of Waterfront Insular Hotel
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-in-law’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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Betty Medialdea, Exec. Sec. Salvador Medialdea, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono & Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda |
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DFA officials. Exec. Dir. Jocel Ignacio; ASec. Meynard Montealegre and Acting ASec. Robert Ferrer, Jr. |
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General Managers. Dusit D2’s Christopher Wichlan, Seda Abreeza’s Ken Kapulong & Waterfront Insular’s Bryan Yves Lasalas |
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Danna Faistauer; Gene Bangayan; Malou Monteverde; Eetang Ang; Mary Anne Montemayor; Endah Yuliarti Farry; Joji Ilagan-Bian; Li Lin; and Marilou Ampuan |
Also published in the SunStar Davao newspaper