In celebration of the 40th year of the Fukuda Doctrine, representatives from Japan and ASEAN gathered at the Manila Hotel on October 1, 2018 to witness the unveiling of the Doctrine’s Commemorative Marker spearheaded by The Philippines-Japan Society. After the unveiling, a symposium was also held at the Fiesta Pavilion where the Doctrine was first pronounced by the late Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda on August 18, 1977.
Former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, son of PM Takeo Fukuda, was present to personally lead the unveiling ceremony. He was accompanied by other special guests: Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda, Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea, Philippines-Japan Society President Francis C. Laurel, Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs Jose Luis G. Montales, and Philippine Ambassador to Japan Jose C. Laurel V.
Speakers for the symposium that morning were Dr. Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Chairman of the Indonesia-Japan Friendship Association; Ambassador Delia D. Albert, former Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines; and Dr. Mie Oba, Professor of Tokyo University of Science. Dr. Kartasasmita presented a historical perspective on the Fukuda Doctrine while Amb. Albert talked about ASEAN-Japan-Philippines Relations, and Dr. Oba gave insights on the future relations between ASEAN and Japan.
Since its pronouncement in 1977, The Fukuda Doctrine has served as the blueprint for Japan’s foreign policy towards ASEAN. It has 3 key principles:
- Japan is committed to peace and rejects the role of a military power;
- Japan will consolidate the relationship of mutual confidence and trust based on “heart-to-heart” understanding among peoples of Japan and Southeast Asia; and,
- Japan will cooperate positively with ASEAN [the Association of Southeast Asian Nations] while aiming to foster a relationship based on mutual understanding with the countries of Indochina and will thus contribute to the building of peace and prosperity throughout Southeast Asia.
The Fukuda Doctrine Commemorative Marker was designed at the instance of The Philippines-Japan Society by Filipino scholars of the Japanese Government studying at the University of the Philippines, Los Baños.
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