On November 6, JICA President Akihiko Tanaka met in Tokyo with a delegation led by Philippine Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian.
At the start of the meeting, Senate President Gatchalian presented President Tanaka with a letter of appreciation from the Philippine Senate to JICA, and Senator Zubiri also expressed gratitude for many years of cooperation.
The Senate President said priority infrastructure development, peace and development support in Mindanao, and people-to-people cooperation have contributed greatly to the Philippines' development. President Tanaka thanked the Senate for its support and said JICA will continue to contribute to the Philippines' sustainable growth and the consolidation of peace. They also discussed continued cooperation, including in railway projects and agriculture.
Key points
- The Philippine Senate presented JICA with a letter of appreciation
- Infrastructure, peace and development support in Mindanao, and people-to-people cooperation were cited as contributing to development
- Future cooperation in areas such as railways and agriculture was discussed
Why this news deserves attention
International cooperation supports not only visible projects like roads and railways but also peace-building and exchange between people. This meeting shows a legislature expressing thanks for that accumulated work.
It is also striking that long-running efforts such as peace and development support in Mindanao came up in the discussion. It is a good chance to learn about the long history of international cooperation.
Staff comments
Minato AobaResearch
“What struck me was the Senate presenting a letter of appreciation. Infrastructure, Mindanao peace support and people-to-people cooperation were all mentioned, which shows how broad this cooperation really is.”
Sophie HiroseWriting and translation
“I agree with Aoba-san about that breadth. For me, hearing that talks will continue on railways and agriculture, areas close to daily life, made the story feel much closer to home.”
Mako JozenjiProofreading and verification
“Both the breadth and the closeness you two describe matter. Seeing long-running cooperation answered with thanks from the partner country reminds me how trust between nations is built up, and it warms my heart.”
Editor-in-Chief’s comment
Ren DateEditor-in-Chief
“It is lovely when cooperation with a far-away country comes back as words of thanks.
Please take a look at the individual field sites behind the news, too.”