Philippine Embassy Welcomes Incoming Ambassador to Japan, Jose C. Laurel V

TOKYO- Jose C. Laurel V, incoming Ambassador of the Philippines to Japan, is greeted by the officers and staff of the Embassy of the Philippines as he arrived to assume his post on April 4th.

He presented a true copy of his credentials to Shinsuke Sugiyama, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs on April 5.  Following Japanese protocol, the ceremony marked the beginning of his tenure as Ambassador-Designate of the Philippines to Japan.

In discussions that followed, Vice Minister Sugiyama and Ambassador-Designate Laurel expressed satisfaction over the excellent state of Philippine-Japan ties. The Vice Minister took note of the valuable role and contributions that the Laurel family had played in the cultivating friendly relations between the two countries over the past two decades. Ambassador-Designate Laurel pledged his full support and commitment to the further broadening and enhancement of the bilateral Strategic Partnership.

The Ambassador-Designate was accompanied by the Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission Eduardo R.M. Menez and Minister and Consul General Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio. Prior to the call, The Ambassador-Designate was received by the Foreign Ministry’s Assistant Chief of Protocol, Mme. Takako Ito.

A native of Batangas, Ambassador-Designate Laurel is the grandson of President Jose P. Laurel (1943-1945) and the son of Philippine Ambassador to Japan Jose S. Laurel III (1966-1971). He spent part of his childhood years in Japan and together with his family has devoted much of his life to promoting cooperation and mutual appreciation between the Filipino and Japanese peoples. He was formerly Governor of Batangas, Chairman of the Executive Committee of YKK Philippines, Inc. and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Philippines-Japan Friendship Foundation.