Japan – Page 6 – Maniolas

P15-M: Aquino’s budget for ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit

Dec 132013

President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the Cabinet Meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (December 10). (MNS photo) MANILA, Dec 12 (Mabuhay) – The government is spending P15 million for President Benigno S. Aquino III’s bilateral meetings and participation in the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit from December 12 to 14 in Tokyo, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on Thursday. President Aquino left this morning for Tokyo via a chartered flight, along with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Transportation and Communications Secretary Emilio Abaya, Presidential Management Staff head Julia Andrea Abad, Presidential Protocol chief Celia Anna Feria and Press Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. The expenses cover transportation, accommodation, food and equipment, among other requirements, of the President and his 57-member official delegation. “The participation of President Aquino in the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit will further strengthen our relationship with Japan, a long-time ally and strategic partner in trade, tourism and labor,” Ochoa said. According to Ochoa, the President is expected to deliver a statement during the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit scheduled on Saturday at the Akasaka State Guest House. The Chief Executive is set to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Prime Minister’s official residence for bilateral discussion on disaster management, economic and maritime cooperation, and progress on the Mindanao peace process. The President’s schedule also includes a social call by Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda and a courtesy call by Read More …

President Aquino to pursue closer PHL-Japan ties in Tokyo visit

Entertainment

Dec 122013

President Aquino to pursue closer PHL-Japan ties in Tokyo visit

President Benigno S. Aquino III and His Excellency Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, review the honor guards during the Arrival Ceremony at the Malacañan Palace Grounds for his Official Visit to the Republic of the Philippines on Saturday (July 27, 2013). The visit of Prime Minister Abe will further advance the Strategic Partnership between the Philippines and Japan. The last time that the prime minister of Japan visited the Philippines was in December 2006 when Prime Minister Abe visited Manila during his first term as the head of the Japanese Government. Japan is one of only two strategic partners of the Philippines. In 2012, Japan was the Philippines’ number one trade partner and provider of official development assistance as well as the second major source of approved investments and third source of tourist arrivals. (MNS photo) TOKYO, Japan (Mabuhay) – President Benigno S. Aquino III will pursue closer ties between the Philippines and Japan during his visit here this week for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Japan Commemorative summit. President Aquino and the Philippine delegation are to take part in several events aimed at bolstering various aspects of Philippine-Japan friendship. On Friday, the President is scheduled to receive an Honorary doctorate law degree from Sophia University. The President is then expected to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for a bilateral meeting and a working lunch at the Prime Minister’s official residence. He is then to meet with the Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) at the Keidanren Read More …

China retaliates, accuses Japan of stirring up trouble in sea row

News

Dec 122013

China retaliates, accuses Japan of stirring up trouble in sea row

By Matikas SantosINQUIRER.net 7:04 pm | Thursday, December 12th, 2013 Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei PHOTO FROM CHINA-EMBASSY.ORG MANILA, Philippines – It’s now China’s turn to point a finger at Japan saying that it was the one stirring up trouble in the East China Sea and that it has “ulterior political motives” in making a big issue out of the Chinese Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). “The one who stirs up troubles and changes the status quo on the Diaoyu (Senkaku) islands and in the East China Sea is no other than Japan,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei said in a press conference in China Wednesday, the transcript of which was posted on its website. “Japan makes irresponsible accusation of China’s normal maritime and air activities and hypes up ‘China threat’ since it has ulterior political motives,” he said. The Diaoyu or Sankaku Islands are several disputed islands in the East China Sea being claimed by China but currently under the control of Japan. China’s recently established ADIZ covers the airspace above the disputed islands. Japan and the United States (US) previously criticized China for the ADIZ saying that it unilaterally changes the status quo in the East China Sea. Japan, US, and South Korea defied the ADIZ by sending airplanes into the zone and not identifying themselves with China. Secretary of State John Kerry said in a previous statement that the ADIZ “increases tensions in the region and create risks of an incident.” Lei reiterated that China Read More …

Index retreats for 5th straight day

Economy

Dec 092013

MANILA, Philippines – The local bourse retreated for the fifth straight day yesterday, ignoring the climb in Asian and global markets. The Philippine Stock Exchange index eased 0.10 percent or six points to 6,008.90, recovering from the intraday low of 5,989.08. The broader all shares index fell 0.21 percent or 7.67 points to 3,680.80. “Against a backdrop of optimism that covers the rest of Asia, Philippine shares started the week on the same footing it ended the previous four sessions,” Justino Calaycay Jr., an analyst at Accord Capital Equities Corp. Given the historical average increase of the main index during December, Calaycay said “the best the index could hope for would be around 6,400. Anything above it will be a welcome surprise.” Wall Street gained on Friday amid stronger-than-expected US job creation last month. The Dow Jones Industrial average rose 1.26 percent or 198.69 points to 16,020.20, while the broader Standard & Poor’s 500 index added 1.12 percent or 20.06 points to 1,805.09. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rallied 2.29 percent or 350.35 points to 15,650.21, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index picked up 0.29 percent or 68.07 points to 23,811.17. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Most counters were in the red, paced by property firms that shed 1.18 percent or 27.81 points to 2,320.95. But holding firms improved 0.78 percent or 42.86 points to 5,537.86. The value of shares traded slipped to P4.58 billion from P5.9 billion on Friday. Decliners outpaced advancers, 99 to 53, while 40 Read More …

Japan seeks int’l action against China air zone

News

Dec 082013

Japan seeks int’l action against China air zone

Associated Press 3:56 am | Monday, December 9th, 2013 Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, center, waves as he arrives at the airport in Tacloban City on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, to look at the magnitude of the disaster for additional Japanese aid. Onodera called on the international community on Sunday to oppose China’s recently declared maritime air defense zone over the East China Sea and possibly over the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). AP PHOTO/AARON FAVILA TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines—Japan’s defense minister called on the international community on Sunday to oppose China’s recently declared maritime air defense zone over the East China Sea and possibly over the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera discussed Japan’s concern over China’s action separately with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Australian Foreign Minister Julia Bishop. Onodera and Bishop separately visited Tacloban City, which was devastated by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: “Haiyan”) last month. In his meeting with Bishop, Onodera said he mentioned that the international community “should meet to deal with this matter together” and that any unilateral action by coercive means should be opposed. “If any country would establish a similar air zone in the South China Sea, that would bring up tension in the region and I mentioned that should be stopped,” he told reporters in Tacloban, where he visited a school serving as a shelter for villagers who lost their homes in the Nov. 8 typhoon. Onodera said the issue should be resolved by dialogue. Read More …

Review of PJEPA set next year

Economy

Dec 032013

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to start the review of the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA) next year with the view of pushing for more benefits for agriculture products and movement of natural persons. “Next year, we will undertake a review of the PJEPA,” DTI assistant secretary Ceferino Rodolfo said during the National Export Congress 2013 yesterday. The review is intended to see how the deal could make trade policies more responsive to the country’s needs. Rodolfo said that part of the review would cover how to improve terms for entry of agricultural products as well as for the movement of natural persons. The PJEPA which came into effect in 2008 seeks to strengthen the economic relations of the Philippines and Japan. The bilateral agreement covers free flow of trade in goods, services, persons and capital. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Rodolfo noted that since the PJEPA came into effect, trade between the Philippines and Japan have grown by more than five times. Japan is the Philippines’ top export market, with outbound merchandise shipments to that country valued at $9.88 billion in 2012. In terms of imports, Japan is the Philippines’ third biggest source, with imports valued at $6.45 billion in 2012. Since the PJEPA came into force, Rodolfo said investments made in the Philippines from Japan have surged to P69 billion last year from just P16 billion in 2008. Japan is among the top sources of foreign investments Read More …

Vital C to open wellness center in Davao

Economy

Dec 012013

Vital C to open wellness center in Davao

VITAL C-Davao has gone a notch higher in keeping people in top shape, as it is set to open the first-of-its-kind health and wellness center in Mindanao early next year. Albert Obenza, branch manager of Vital C-Davao, said the facility is equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment fit for the Vital C products, and to be manned by doctors and nurses. Among the equipment already in place at the center are the Vital Resonance Analyzer (VRA), Live Cell Analysis (LCA), and Cardio-Vacular Analyzer (CVA), all are imported from Germany. “We’re still preparing the center,” he said. Obenza said they are now in the phase of putting in some finishing touches to the center. They will also train two or three doctors, plus nurses on how to operate the equipment before finally opening its doors to the public. The VRA can determine whether one’s body lacks vitamins and minerals, or the machine can also be more specific by pinpointing which among the body’s organs are not anymore in good shope. “It can detect unsay kulang sa imong system unsa nga organ ang weak… makita pud nato unsa nga product ang dapat itake (It can detect what’s lacking in your system and which organ is week. Then, we’ll know which product to take),” he said. The LCA is used simply to analyze the thickness of the blood. When results from blood samples turned out to be stickier, the patient is prone to stroke and heart failure. Obenza explained that “sticky blood” hampers good Read More …

Taiwan lawmakers denounce China air defense zone

News

Nov 292013

Taiwan lawmakers denounce China air defense zone

Associated Press 9:36 pm | Friday, November 29th, 2013 TAIPEI — Taiwan’s legislature attacked China’s newly declared air defense zone on Friday, with lawmakers demanding in an unusual joint statement that President Ma Ying-jeou’s government lodge a “stern protest” with Beijing. They admonished Ma’s government for its cautious response to China’s announcement last Saturday, including agreeing to supply China with flight plans for planes entering the zone. The statement, signed by caucus leaders of the ruling Nationalists and pro-independence opposition parties, said Taiwan should work together with Japan, the U.S. and other “friendly states in the region” in multilateral negotiations with China. The government said later Friday it will communicate its “stern position” to Beijing. China said all aircraft must notify Chinese authorities before entering the zone, which includes islands controlled by Japan but claimed by Beijing. The U.S., Japan and South Korea have sent flights through the airspace in defiance of China’s rules. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: air defense zone , airspace , China , Diplomacy , Global Nation , Taiwan Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate: c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer Chino Roces Avenue corner Yague and Mascardo Read More …

Japan medics bring high-tech fixes to PHL

Entertainment

Nov 232013

Japan medics bring high-tech fixes to PHL

Survivors of Typhoon Haiyan carry fuel, which they bought at double the regular price, on a motorcycle in the typhoon devastated town of Palo, near Tacloban November 16, 2013. (MNS photo) TACLOBAN (AFP) – Japanese medics working to help victims of the Philippines typhoon have deployed wireless mobile X-ray kits using tablet computers, a world first in a disaster zone, a team spokesman said Saturday. The technology, which was developed after the huge tsunami that hit Japan in 2011, allows doctors to take a look inside patients instantly, and even lets them enlarge the image with familiar iPad gestures. Joji Tomioka, coordinator of the Japan Medical Team for Disaster Relief, said the system had been created in response to what doctors needed in the aftermath of the Japanese disaster. “This is the first time that we are deploying it in a disaster situation,” Tomioka told AFP at a modern tent medical clinic put up by the Japanese government to help victims of typhoon Haiyan, which crashed through the central Philippines more than a week ago. At the partly air-conditioned clinic in the ruined city of Tacloban on Leyte island, a radiologist placed a camera on the chest of 72-year-old Carlos Llosa as he sat in his wheelchair. The X-ray image was instantaneously transmitted through a wireless router to an iPad and to a nearby laptop. With a thumb and a finger, the doctor was able to zoom in for a more detailed view of the problem area. “It looks like Read More …

Japan medics bring high-tech fixes to Tacloban

News

Nov 162013

Japan medics bring high-tech fixes to Tacloban

Villagers, isolated by super typhoon Haiyan a week ago, scramble for relief goods being dropped by Philippine Air Force at La Paz, Leyte province in central Philippines, Friday Nov. 15, 2013. Survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful typhoons ever recorded, have only now begun to receive some aid, a week after their homes and lives were torn apart. AP FILE [HOTO TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines—Japanese medics working to help victims of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) have deployed wireless mobile X-ray kits using tablet computers, a world first in a disaster zone, a team spokesman said Saturday. The technology, which was developed after the huge tsunami that hit Japan in 2011, allows doctors to take a look inside patients instantly, and even lets them enlarge the image with familiar iPad gestures. Joji Tomioka, coordinator of the Japan Medical Team for Disaster Relief, said the system had been created in response to what doctors needed in the aftermath of the Japanese disaster. “This is the first time that we are deploying it in a disaster situation,” Tomioka told Agence France-Presse at a modern tent medical clinic put up by the Japanese government to help victims of the typhoon, which crashed through the central Philippines on November 8. At the partly air-conditioned clinic in the ruined city of Tacloban on Leyte island, a radiologist placed a camera on the chest of 72-year-old Carlos Llosa as he sat in his wheelchair. The X-ray image was instantaneously transmitted through a wireless router to an Read More …

Older Entries Newer Entries