ASEAN agrees to lower barriers to boost regional trade
In an effort to mitigate geopolitical risks, the bloc has just concluded negotiations on an upgraded ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), set to be formally signed at the annual October summit. The revised deal aims to lower remaining tariffs and remove non-tariff barriers to improve trade flows among member states.
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The Mainichi
an hour ago
- The Mainichi
Victims of Philippine battles remembered on 80th anniv. of end of WWII
CALIRAYA, Philippines (Kyodo) -- The Japanese Embassy in the Philippines held a ceremony Friday to remember all those who suffered and died in the fierce battles that took place in the Southeast Asian country under the Japanese occupation during World War II, which ended 80 years ago. Around 250 participants, mostly Japanese nationals but also several Philippine government officials, observed a moment of silence, and offered flowers and prayers during the ceremony held at the Japanese Memorial Garden in Caliraya, Laguna province south of Manila. The Japanese occupation started in 1942 and by the time Japan surrendered to the U.S.-led Allied Powers on Aug. 15, 1945, the battles in the Philippines had resulted in the deaths of 1 million Filipinos and more than 500,000 Japanese. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minster Shigeru Ishiba sent messages to the ceremony, expressing their condolences and calling for peace. Foreign Assistant Secretary Evangeline Ducrocq became the first ranking Philippine government official to attend the annual event in several years and read Marcos' message. "I recall the spirit of reconciliation from which was born, in one generation, the deep friendship and affection between two peoples once torn apart by war," the president wrote. Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Endo underscored the broadened scope of strengthened Philippine-Japan ties since the war ended, adding "We report this progress to the spirits of those who perished, honoring the remarkable journey we have taken together, overcoming a harsh history to achieve this friendship and cooperation." Referring to the ongoing wars of today, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Palestine conflict, Endo said, "We must deeply engrave in our hearts the devastation of war and the preciousness of peace, ensuring that the memories of these tragedies are never allowed to fade and that this legacy is passed on." Ishiba's message, which was read by Endo, saw the Japanese prime minister pledge that his government will ensure the return of the remains of the Japanese war dead to their homeland. He also said people of Japanese descent living in the Philippines, mostly the offspring of Japanese fathers who moved to the country before and during the war, would be allowed to obtain Japanese citizenship.
Asahi Shimbun
19 hours ago
- Asahi Shimbun
Second senior Chinese diplomat detained for questioning, sources say
BEIJING--A deputy to a prominent Chinese diplomat being questioned by authorities was also detained, three people with knowledge of the matter said, a further sign of uncertainty in the top echelons of China's diplomacy. Sun Haiyan, a senior diplomat and former ambassador to Singapore, was detained in early August around the time Liu Jianchao, widely seen as a potential foreign minister candidate, was taken in for questioning, two of the people said. Sun, the first woman to serve as a deputy head of the Communist Party's International Department, was detained by Chinese authorities in connection with the questioning of Liu, the sources said. None of the sources knew the basis of the questioning of either diplomat. The sources requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. The detention of Liu, who leads the International Department, marked the highest-level disappearance of a diplomat since China ousted its former foreign minister and President Xi Jinping's protege, Qin Gang, in 2023, following an unexplained public absence. His detention followed a work trip to Singapore, South Africa and Algeria. His house was searched in early August. The disappearance of Sun alongside the highly visible Liu, adds to questions about China's foreign policy establishment at a time of rising tensions with Washington around trade and geopolitical influence. China's State Council Information Office, which handles media queries for the government, and the International Department did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. Reuters could not verify if both Sun and Liu were still being detained. Neither could be reached for comment. Both their profiles remain on the International Department's website. Sun's last public appearance was on August 1, when she attended a reception hosted by Nepal's embassy in Beijing. Sun, 53, was stationed in Singapore between May 2022 and July 2023. When she left her post, she hosted a 500-person reception at a luxury Singapore hotel, according to Chinese news reports. She joined the International Department in 1997, where she served in a wide range of roles, including spokesperson and head of the bureau responsible for ties with Southeast Asian countries. She also served as a district Party Committee official in the city of Zibo, Shandong province, in 2008. Originally from Hebei province, Sun holds a doctorate in law from Peking University, having also studied at Japan's Kyushu University.
The Mainichi
a day ago
- The Mainichi
Filipino comfort women supporters demand Japan apology for war crime
MANILA (Kyodo) -- Groups supporting Filipino women who were forced to work in Japanese military brothels during World War II held a rally in Manila on Thursday to demand an official apology and compensation from Japan, criticizing its stance on the crimes committed by the military 80 years ago. At the event held a day before the anniversary of the war's end with Japan's surrender in 1945, Elizabeth Atillo, whose mother was one of the so-called comfort women and died last year, said, "To the (leader) of Japan, I hope you give our parents justice for the their souls can finally rest in peace." Sharon Silva, member of a group named Lila Pilipina, said less than 10 former comfort women remain alive in the Philippines. An estimated 1,000 Filipino women are believed to have been victims of sexual abuse by Japanese soldiers during Japan's occupation of the Southeast Asian country from 1942 to 1945. The Japanese Embassy in Manila said Thursday that reparation claims, including those of individuals, relating to the war "have been legally settled with the Philippines" through the Japan-Philippines Reparations Agreement that took effect in 1956. In 2023, the United Nations said the Philippines had failed to provide reparation, social support and recognition commensurate with the harm suffered by the victims of sexual slavery perpetrated by the Imperial Japanese Army. The groups supporting the Filipino women also expressed their opposition to the likely return of Japanese boots on the ground, as an agreement of the Philippines and Japan, now defense allies, which facilitates joint exercises, will take effect next month. "It's very difficult for us to accept these (types of) even acknowledging women had gone through," said Arlene Brosas, a former legislator from a women's political party called Gabriela which has lobbied for the Philippine government to designate Aug. 14 as a memorial day for wartime slavery be taught in schools.
