President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo departed shortly before 10 this morning for a four-day state visit to Japan upon the invitation of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko to further strengthen the ties that bind the Philippines and Japan.

In her departure statement distributed to the media before she boarded a chartered Philippine Airlines flight to Tokyo, the President said: "As I embark on this journey, I am happy to note that this will be the first state visit by a Philippine President to Japan in this century. The last visit of a Philippine President was a decade ago."

She was accompanied on the trip by First Gentleman Attorney Jose Miguel Arroyo and a small group of Cabinet members, including Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople and Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye.

Among those who saw here off at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport were Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Jr., Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo, newly-appointed Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo, House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr., National Security Adviser J. Roilo Golez, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Dionisio Santiago, Philippine National Police Chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr., Customs Commissioner Antonio Bernardo and NAIA General Manager Edgar Manda.

The President said her visit "will be a good vehicle for me to invite investors that can help boost our economy."

The President said that during her scheduled meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, she will discuss "matters on economic partnership as well as development cooperation to further enhance the Philippines and Japan conspicuous bilateral relations."

"I am optimistic that our two countries will arrive at measures, which will be beneficial to both our nations and pull in ways and mechanisms which will produce satisfactory results for our people," she said.

The President noted that the Philippines and Japan have had outstanding cordial ties since the establishment of bilateral relations in 1956. Japan has been the biggest Official Development Assistance (ODA) provider to the Philippines and is the second largest trading partner, second largest source of investment and second largest source of tourists, the President said.

One of the first activities of the President on her first day in Tokyo today is a meeting with the Filipino community in Japan.

"I will be meeting the Filipino community and other Filipino organizations to be able to know their needs," she said.

During her state visit, the President will also be renewing ties with the Emperor and Empress, who will receive her at the Imperial Palace tomorrow and then host a State Dinner for her in the evening.

TOKYO (Via PLDT) – Japan and the Philippines are determined to face the terrorist menace headon by focusing bilateral talks scheduled between President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Japan Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on security issues.

This was learned in an interview with Philippine Ambassador to Japan Domingo Siazon, Jr., who discussed the agenda for President Macapagal-Arroyo’s state visit here.

Siazon said both leaders appeared determined "to do together" whatever security measures were necessary to combat international terrorism that threatens their respective nationals and territories.

"It has become quite clear that Japan and the Philippines must cooperate more closely in combating global terrorism, so in the meeting between the President and the Prime Minister, there will be talks about cross-border problems," Siazon said.

Mrs. Arroyo and Mr. Koizumi are scheduled to meet Wednesday. The Philippine President will arrive here for a four-day state visit at around 2 p.m., Manila time.

Siazon said the two leaders will also tackle other security issues including piracy, the need for cooperation in the Coast Guard sector and Japan’s possible assistance to the Philippine National Police.

Siazon said the bilateral talks would also likely take up regional security issues as the Korean Peninsula.

But Siazon said the talks would also have to include the two countries’ close economic ties, considering the fact that Japan is the biggest provider of Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the Philippines.

TOKYO (Via PLDT) -- From enemies in World War II to an economic allies from 1962 onwards, the relations between the Philippines and Japan strengthened over decades, as indicated in their balance of trade and their level of security cooperation.

The diplomatic relations between Japan and the Philippines officially began in July 1956 when the Treaty of Peace and the Reparations Agreement between the two countries were signed.

Two years later, Philippine Ambassador to Japan Domingo Siazon, Jr. noted that Philippine President Carlos P. Garcia visited Japan and in 1962, then Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko, who are now the Emperor and Empress of Japan, visited the Philippines.

"That visit of the Prince and the Princess at that time closed a very difficult period in our history with Japan," Siazon said.

Japan had invaded the Philippines from 1941 to 1943 until the United States retook control over the territory.

After being an aid receiver from Japan, Siazon said the Philippines has become an aid provider, not to its old ally, but to a new state, East Timor.

"We are now a partner of Japan, not a recipient, but also an ODA (official development assistance) provider to East Timor," Siazon said.

"We will have the first mission to East Timor in 2003," he said.

Japan has consistently been the biggest ODA provider for the Philippines, accounting for 61 percent of ODA granted since 1992.

Apart from their joint efforts to help boost the economic growth of East Timor, Siazon said Japan and the Philippines have also committed to jointly set up a network center that will accept and treat tuberculosis patients.

He said the two countries shall invite medical workers from member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) "to train in this center and the cost will be co-financed by Japan and the Philippines."

"In that sense, we are no longer just a recipient but a partner for prosperity," Siazon said.

Alongside economic initiatives, Siazon said the two countries shall also pursue joint efforts in the area of regional security and transnational crimes, including the problem of global terrorism.

TOKYO (via PLDT) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo arrived here today for a four-day state visit aimed at forging a new partnership for peace and prosperity with Japan.

The President arrived on board a chartered Philippine Arilines flight at the Tokyo International (Haneda) Airport at around three (2 pm in Manila) in the afternoon.

Accompanied by First Gentleman Atty. Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo, the President was given a 21-gun salute as soon as she stepped down from of the plane.

Afterwards, the President was presented the Japan suite of honor during arrival ceremonies at the airport.

Among the members of the Philippine delegation are Philippine Ambassador to Japan Domingo Siazon, Jr., Sen. Aquilino Pimentel, Jr., Foreign Secretary Blas F. Ople, Finance Secretary Jose Isidro Camacho, Trade and Industry Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Dante Canlas, Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye, and Presidential Management Staff head Silvestre Afable, Jr.

In an interview here, Siazon said the President's visit to Japan marks the beginning of a new phase of the two countries' relationship.

Siazon also said this visit will also mark the very good relationship she has established with the Japan Imperial Couple.

"The President has personal linkages with the Emperor (Akihito)and the Empress (Michiko)," Siazon noted, adding that the Emperor visited the Philippines when he was still the Crown Prince during the time of President Diosdado Macapagal, when the President was 13 years old.

Siazon added that the visit will also highlight the 21st century cooperation between the two countries in security and economics.

He said the President will seek to intensify security measures against piracy, global terrorism and strengthen cooperation in anti-crime efforts.

"We are also talking about peace, meaning security in the region and prosperity, meaning not only our own economic development but contributing to the economic development in the region," Siazon said.

During the visit, the President will pay the Imperial Couple the traditional state call at the Akasaka Palace.

The President will have a meeting with Japan Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi where she will push for closer cooperation between the two countries.

She will also speak before the Diet where she will underscore the importance of Japanese relations with the Philippines.

Only selected world leaders are invited to address the Diet. Previous speakers include President Carlos P. Garcia, Chancellor Helmut Kohl of Germany, South African President Nelson Mandela and United States Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

The President will also speak before the "E-Services Philippines," at the Information Technology Exhibition and Interactive Business Investment Seminar at the Jetro Business Support Center.

Siazon said the President will promote during the seminar the competitiveness of the Filipino IT professional in graphic design, animation and related computer skills.

The Chief Executive will also deliver addresses before the Nippon Keidanren, the Japan National Press Club and would conduct interviews with Japan media such as NHK, Nikkei, Kyodo News and Yomiuri Shimbun.

She will also take the opportunity to meet with Japanese businessmen such as Matsushita Corp. vice chairman Masayuki Matshushita, and officials of Friends of the Philippines, and Manila Club Ambassadors.

The President will also have a separate meeting with Japan Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Takeo Hiranuma and parliamentarian Hidenao Nakagawa.

And like her previous foreign visits, the President will also meet with the local Filipino community here, which is mostly composed of overseas Filipino workers, students, professionals and spouses of Japanese nationals.

Japan is the biggest overseas development assistance (ODA) provider to the Philippines, covering at most 61 percent of the total aid to the country every year.

TOKYO (via PLDT) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will renew her close ties with the Japan Imperial Couple when she meets with them tomorrow at the traditional state call at the Akasaka Palace.

The President, on a four-day state visit to Japan starting today, first met then Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko, during the time of President Diosdado Macapagal when the royals visited the Philippines in 1962.

The President, accompanied by First Gentleman Atty. Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo, will meet the Imperial Couple initially at the Akasaka Palace, the state guesthouse of Japan.

There, the Emperor will introduce the Imperial family and the Japan Prime Minister to the President and other Japanese officials.

She will also be presented for inspection the Japan Guard of Honor.

Afterward, the President and the First Gentleman, accompanied by the Royal Couple, will proceed to the Imperial Palace for the traditional exchange of decorations, gifts and signed photographs.

Aside from members of the Cabinet, the President and the First Gentleman will be accompanied by daughter Evangeline Lourdes "Luli" Arroyo.

In the evening, the Imperial Couple will host a state dinner in honor of the President and Atty. Arroyo.

From the time of the Emperor's visit to the Philippines in 1962, the President has remained in close contact with the Royal Couple as she constantly meets with them during her visits to Japan both on official and unofficial visits.

The President has related that during a trip arranged by Assumption School, where she was a student, the Royal Couple gave them the honor of their presence in a meeting that included her classmates and the Assumption nuns.

She has also noted that the Royal Couple also met her and her mother, the late Evangelina Macaraeg Macapagal, when they visited Japan shortly after her father passed away.

Philippine Ambassador to Japan Domingo Siazon, Jr. earlier noted that the President's visit "completes the cycle of relationship she has established with the Imperial Couple.

"Now, she is going on in her own right as head of state of the Philippines. It also marks the beginning of a new phase of relations between Japan and the Philippines wherein before we used to be recipient of mainly technical assistance from Japan."

The President's visit will be the first state visit by a Philippine President to Japan in the 21st century. Japan only accommodates four to five state visits a year. The President is making her state visit in just her second year in office.

Siazon also noted that the 1962 visit of the Imperial Couple to the Philippines closed a very difficult chapter in the Philippine-Japan relations and started a new phase of relations between the two countries.

"It was economic development and Japan from that time on, assisted the Philippines' various programs on economic development," Siazon said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today issued Proclamation No. 298 declaring Friday, December 6, as a special non-working day throughout the country to commemorate Eid-ul-Fitre (Feast of Ramadan).

The Chief Executive, who signed Proclamation No.298, shortly before she left for a four-day state visit to Japan, said that Republic Act No. 9177 declared Eid-ul-Fitre as a regular holiday.

She said the date on which the Eid-ul-Fitre (Feast of Ramadan) falls varies from year to year, depending on the sighting of the new moon.

For the year 2002, the Eid-ul-Fitre has been determined to fall on Friday, December 6, 2002, the President said.

"To promote cultural understanding and integration, the entire Filipino nation should have the full opportunity to join our Muslim brothers and sisters in observing and celebrating this important day," the President said in Proclamation No. 298.