By the time you read this, President Benigno S. Aquino III would have been here in Tokyo on a State Visit. As in the other foreign trips of the President, his visit here not only sought to strengthen friendly relations between Japan and our country, he also wants to bring investments back home. Indeed, the second most important mandate I received upon my assignment to serve as our country’s ambassador to Japan is to help encourage more Japanese investments that will create much needed jobs at home. The most important mandate is of course, to look after the welfare of the thousands of Filipinos working and living in Japan.
Amb. Manuel M. Lopez presents his credentials to Emperor Akihito in Tokyo Indeed, looking after our OFWs is the most important task of the Philippine mission in Tokyo. Beyond the emergency assistance in time of calamities, we are always ready to help our modern day heroes who are here in Japan to help their families back home and in the process, our country’s economy as well. We are also always on the look out for more opportunities for Filipino professionals to work here, such as the nurses and caregivers who are finding jobs here under recent agreements we have signed with Japan under the JPEPA. One thing is sure, most of the Filipinos working here do our nation proud.

Busy as I may be with official duties in Tokyo, I also always think about all of you who are working in the various companies in our Lopez Group. I am also heartened by the support you have given me and our fellow Filipinos in Japan. Thank you for understanding the demands of my work for the nation, and for the prayers and compassionate words you have sent my way. The Rockwell Land community, in particular, conducted a unique fund-raiser called “Love Japan” and turned over all the proceeds to the Japanese minister and deputy chief of mission in Manila Such generous act enhances our friendship with the Japanese people.
Distributing relief goods to Filipinos in Sendai As chairman of the Lopez Group, I want to express my appreciation for the work of Gabby (ABS-CBN Corporation chairman Eugenio Lopez III), Piki (First Philippines Holdings Corporation chairman Federico R. Lopez), Mike (Lopez Holdings vice president Miguel L. Lopez), Jay (FPH vice president Benjamin R. Lopez), Mark (ABS-CBN chief information officer Martin L. Lopez) and the women Gina Lopez (ABS-CBN Foundation), Cedie Vargas (HR Council and Lopez Museum) and Rina Bautista (Knowledge Channel Foundation) and other members of the third generation Lopez family. They have shown active leadership and demonstrated genuine consideration for the entire Lopez Group, which tells me that the future is even brighter for our group of companies

I will be emailing you again in a few weeks. Meanwhile, feel free to email me. It will give me respite from my work in the embassy, and give me the opportunity to provide a wider view of the world from the land of the rising sun.
With wife Maritess during a reception hosted by the Philippine Embassy Arigato gozaimas. Thank you.

Amb. Manuel M. Lopez