Consul-General Kawasaki
2021/3/30
Maayong Adlaw Kaninyong tanan!
I am Toshihide KAWASAKI, arrived in Cebu on March 30, 2021 and assumed the post of the first Consul General of Japan in Cebu since the Consulate-General of Japan has been newly established in Cebu as of January 1, 2021.
My past overseas postings have taken me to Philippines (Manila) twice, Jordan, Indonesia (Jakarta), Timor-Leste, and in the U.S., to Los Angeles.
This will be my third assignment in the Philippines following 2 and a half years from 1986 and also 2 and a half years from 1997 both in Manila.
The Consulate-General of Japan in Cebu exclusively serves the 16 Provinces of Visayas, such as Aklan, Antique, Biliran, Bohol, Capiz, Cebu, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Iloilo, Leyte, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Northern Samar, Samar, Siquijor and Southern Leyte.
The Visayas region, being located in the middle, connecting Luzon Island, the capital of the Philippines, and Mindanao Island, has an indispensable role as the regional hub of Air and Sea transportation and the information industry.
Since Embassy of Japan in the Philippines opened its consular post in Cebu in 1996, bilateral relations and exchanges in various area have been deepened, and now the number of Japanese nationals has been increased eight (8) times the size of what was in 1996 to over 3,000 as well as the number of Japanese companies four (4) times to over 250.
Today, the Japan-Philippines relationship is stronger than ever before, across diverse areas including politics, economy and culture.
Metro Cebu which is second biggest Metropolitan Area next to Metro Manila has tackled global issues such as shifting to the environment friendly and climate change resistant industries and lifestyles while strengthening its urban functions in which area the public-private cooperative relationship with Japan is also progressing.
Moreover, there are many world-famous tourist destinations with beautiful nature in this region, and the area centering around Cebu offers a pleasant English learning environment and facilities which attract many Japanese tourists and students in recent years.
However, unfortunately, the world-wide pandemic of the Covid-19 since last year has restricted the movement of people domestically and internationally and caused an enormous impact on the life and economy in the Philippines.
Despite this difficult situation, working together with Japanese businesses and people who have laid the foundations of the friendly relations, as well as Philippine businesses and organizations with close links to Japan, I will do every possible efforts to further develop Japan-Philippine ties across every possible area in Visayas region.
Another top consideration of mine will be to ensure the safety and security of Japanese nationals, including more than 3,000 Japanese residents and tourists as well as ensuring the substantial services and supports for businesses.
I will be grateful for your understanding and support as I take on this leadership role.
Daghang Salamat.
Toshihide KAWASAKI
Consul General of Japan, Cebu
I am Toshihide KAWASAKI, arrived in Cebu on March 30, 2021 and assumed the post of the first Consul General of Japan in Cebu since the Consulate-General of Japan has been newly established in Cebu as of January 1, 2021.
My past overseas postings have taken me to Philippines (Manila) twice, Jordan, Indonesia (Jakarta), Timor-Leste, and in the U.S., to Los Angeles.
This will be my third assignment in the Philippines following 2 and a half years from 1986 and also 2 and a half years from 1997 both in Manila.
The Consulate-General of Japan in Cebu exclusively serves the 16 Provinces of Visayas, such as Aklan, Antique, Biliran, Bohol, Capiz, Cebu, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Iloilo, Leyte, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Northern Samar, Samar, Siquijor and Southern Leyte.
The Visayas region, being located in the middle, connecting Luzon Island, the capital of the Philippines, and Mindanao Island, has an indispensable role as the regional hub of Air and Sea transportation and the information industry.
Since Embassy of Japan in the Philippines opened its consular post in Cebu in 1996, bilateral relations and exchanges in various area have been deepened, and now the number of Japanese nationals has been increased eight (8) times the size of what was in 1996 to over 3,000 as well as the number of Japanese companies four (4) times to over 250.
Today, the Japan-Philippines relationship is stronger than ever before, across diverse areas including politics, economy and culture.
Metro Cebu which is second biggest Metropolitan Area next to Metro Manila has tackled global issues such as shifting to the environment friendly and climate change resistant industries and lifestyles while strengthening its urban functions in which area the public-private cooperative relationship with Japan is also progressing.
Moreover, there are many world-famous tourist destinations with beautiful nature in this region, and the area centering around Cebu offers a pleasant English learning environment and facilities which attract many Japanese tourists and students in recent years.
However, unfortunately, the world-wide pandemic of the Covid-19 since last year has restricted the movement of people domestically and internationally and caused an enormous impact on the life and economy in the Philippines.
Despite this difficult situation, working together with Japanese businesses and people who have laid the foundations of the friendly relations, as well as Philippine businesses and organizations with close links to Japan, I will do every possible efforts to further develop Japan-Philippine ties across every possible area in Visayas region.
Another top consideration of mine will be to ensure the safety and security of Japanese nationals, including more than 3,000 Japanese residents and tourists as well as ensuring the substantial services and supports for businesses.
I will be grateful for your understanding and support as I take on this leadership role.
Daghang Salamat.
Toshihide KAWASAKI
Consul General of Japan, Cebu