Yoshi's passion for Mindanao (Vol 2: Charms of Mindanao)
2023/1/24
Mindanao... what kind of image do you have of the region?
Mindanao is a big island and its land area is as big as the combined area of Hokkaido and Shikoku. Having been called as "Land of Promise", it is rich in biodiversity and natural resources, its soil is fertile and it barely experiences typhoons. That is why Mindanao has limitless potential in agriculture. We cannot emphasize the importance of Mindanao enough, in the context of Japan's food security, its diplomacy for natural resources and its defense of sea lane.
The history of Mindanao was a series of wars between the Muslims in Mindanao and the Christians in Luzon and Visayas, from the colonial period under Spain through the USA since the 16th century. However, within the last decade, drastic improvements have been achieved in the Mindanao peace process. The image of Mindanao that is full of armed conflict, terrorism and poverty is slowly becoming a thing of the past. To our regret, it is not well-known that Japan has been deeply involved and has supported the Mindanao peace process for many years.
Since the previous administration of the former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the so-called Davao network has become a powerful force in Philippine politics. Many Japanese descendants or "Nikkeijin" live in Mindanao. The investment of Japanese business has been increasing gradually. As the peace and order situation improves, we can sense the big possibilities of promoting tourism from Japan. Many senior and retired Japanese are relocating from Japan to Mindanao. The Filipino youth studying Japanese language are heading for Japan to help Japan's society that is severely suffering from lack of human resources.
I now stay in Davao and am surprised and impressed everyday with the high potentiality of Mindanao and its strong connections with Japan. Through my column "Yoshi's passion for Mindanao", I would like to relate to you all what I see and feel here in Davao, from various points of view.
January 24, 2023 Ishikawa Yoshihisa
Mindanao is a big island and its land area is as big as the combined area of Hokkaido and Shikoku. Having been called as "Land of Promise", it is rich in biodiversity and natural resources, its soil is fertile and it barely experiences typhoons. That is why Mindanao has limitless potential in agriculture. We cannot emphasize the importance of Mindanao enough, in the context of Japan's food security, its diplomacy for natural resources and its defense of sea lane.
The history of Mindanao was a series of wars between the Muslims in Mindanao and the Christians in Luzon and Visayas, from the colonial period under Spain through the USA since the 16th century. However, within the last decade, drastic improvements have been achieved in the Mindanao peace process. The image of Mindanao that is full of armed conflict, terrorism and poverty is slowly becoming a thing of the past. To our regret, it is not well-known that Japan has been deeply involved and has supported the Mindanao peace process for many years.
Since the previous administration of the former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the so-called Davao network has become a powerful force in Philippine politics. Many Japanese descendants or "Nikkeijin" live in Mindanao. The investment of Japanese business has been increasing gradually. As the peace and order situation improves, we can sense the big possibilities of promoting tourism from Japan. Many senior and retired Japanese are relocating from Japan to Mindanao. The Filipino youth studying Japanese language are heading for Japan to help Japan's society that is severely suffering from lack of human resources.
I now stay in Davao and am surprised and impressed everyday with the high potentiality of Mindanao and its strong connections with Japan. Through my column "Yoshi's passion for Mindanao", I would like to relate to you all what I see and feel here in Davao, from various points of view.
January 24, 2023 Ishikawa Yoshihisa