TOKYO, Japan, Dec. 15 (PNA/via PLDT/Smart) — President Benigno Aquino III attended a gala dinner hosted by Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and wife Akie at the Imperial Hotel here before returning to the Philippines Saturday.
The gala dinner was hosted by Abe to give opportunities for the visiting Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) heads of state and their respective spouses to interact with each other before heading back to their respective countries.
The nation leaders flew to Japan for the culmination of the year-long celebration of the 40th ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit.
In his speech, Prime Minister Abe extolled the year-long friendship of Japan with the ASEAN member countries, sharing with them their “vision, identity and future.”
He said Japan is looking forward to strengthen and deepen ties with ASEAN countries noting how eager they are in hosting the Olympics and Paralympics game in Tokyo in 2020.
“Here in Japan, we all have our eyes on seven years from now. We aim to be outstanding as a people and as a nation,” he said.
“From Japan to ASEAN, from ASEAN to Japan, exchanging cultures, exchanging people, the government of Japan will forge a new cultural exchange policy for the next seven years in order to bring to life a heart-to-heart connection on both sides,” he added.
Using the Japanese word “wa” meaning links and peace, Abe said the cultural exchange policy would strengthen the “wa” that exists between ASEAN nations.
The Prime Minister then offered a toast for the 40 years of ASEAN-Japan relations and “envisioned the glittering future between us that ‘wa’ will create”.
The ASEAN leaders were presented with cultural performances for their delight during the gala dinner. (PNA)