Yoshi’s passion for Mindanao (Vol 6: Travel Advisory for Japanese National)
2025/2/26
It has long been said that “Mindanao is dangerous”. With the long standing conflict with Muslim anti-government groups, Communist guerillas, Muslim extremists, Abu Sayaff Group…. definitely the image of Mindanao is not good. Even many Filipinos have preconceived idea and sense of fear toward Mindanao.
I live in Davao, the safest city in the Philippines. I frequently travel to every corner of Mindanao, experiencing firsthand the real situation on the ground. I meet many local people and have come to realize that the notion “Mindanao is dangerous” is completely inaccurate.
Under the previous travel advisory for Japanese nationals issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the Eastern half of Mindanao, with some exceptions like Davao City, was classified as Level 2, which is “Refrain traveling if non-essential and non-urgent” and Western half of Mindanao was classified as Level 3, which is “Refrain traveling at anytime”. However, these classifications were extraordinarily strict and does not reflect the real peace and order situation on the ground. After careful consideration within the Japanese Government, we could finally lower the travel advisory in December 2024 for part of Mindanao including the entire Davao Region.
With the relaxation of the advisory, we expect to see more Japanese businessmen, investors, tourists and students coming to Mindanao, especially Davao. And we really hope that a direct flight between Japan and Davao, which is an earnest wish of both Japanese and Filipino living here, will be established soon.
This is not the end of the lowering the advisory. We believe that the advisory should also be further lowered as soon as possible to other parts of Mindanao, such as the eastern part of Cotabato, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte including Iligan City, Misamis Occidental, the entire Zamboanga Peninsula including Zamboanga City, Tawi Tawi, Maguindanao del Norte including Cotabato City, Sultan Kudarat and the western part of Sarangani.
Of course, ensuring the safety and security of Japanese nationals is the most important task for the Consulate General of Japan in Davao. However, at the same time, I strongly believe, supporting and promoting Japanese business ventures to come into Mindanao as well as people-to-people exchanges are also our important mission. We must also contribute to development of Philippine society.
Currently, many foreign governments such as USA, Canada, Australia, UK and France have very strict travel advisories in effect for their citizens. Japan, which has the Consulate General office in Davao, has a strong human and information network, has contributed to the Mindanao Peace Process, and has been trusted by the local people for a long time, should take the lead in disseminating the real situation in Mindanao. By doing so, we can encourage other countries to relax their travel advisories and take meaningful actions to support Mindanao’s development. I reaffirm my commitment to this effort.
Reference: Map (Travel Advisory for Japanese National)
I live in Davao, the safest city in the Philippines. I frequently travel to every corner of Mindanao, experiencing firsthand the real situation on the ground. I meet many local people and have come to realize that the notion “Mindanao is dangerous” is completely inaccurate.
Under the previous travel advisory for Japanese nationals issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the Eastern half of Mindanao, with some exceptions like Davao City, was classified as Level 2, which is “Refrain traveling if non-essential and non-urgent” and Western half of Mindanao was classified as Level 3, which is “Refrain traveling at anytime”. However, these classifications were extraordinarily strict and does not reflect the real peace and order situation on the ground. After careful consideration within the Japanese Government, we could finally lower the travel advisory in December 2024 for part of Mindanao including the entire Davao Region.
With the relaxation of the advisory, we expect to see more Japanese businessmen, investors, tourists and students coming to Mindanao, especially Davao. And we really hope that a direct flight between Japan and Davao, which is an earnest wish of both Japanese and Filipino living here, will be established soon.
This is not the end of the lowering the advisory. We believe that the advisory should also be further lowered as soon as possible to other parts of Mindanao, such as the eastern part of Cotabato, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte including Iligan City, Misamis Occidental, the entire Zamboanga Peninsula including Zamboanga City, Tawi Tawi, Maguindanao del Norte including Cotabato City, Sultan Kudarat and the western part of Sarangani.
Of course, ensuring the safety and security of Japanese nationals is the most important task for the Consulate General of Japan in Davao. However, at the same time, I strongly believe, supporting and promoting Japanese business ventures to come into Mindanao as well as people-to-people exchanges are also our important mission. We must also contribute to development of Philippine society.
Currently, many foreign governments such as USA, Canada, Australia, UK and France have very strict travel advisories in effect for their citizens. Japan, which has the Consulate General office in Davao, has a strong human and information network, has contributed to the Mindanao Peace Process, and has been trusted by the local people for a long time, should take the lead in disseminating the real situation in Mindanao. By doing so, we can encourage other countries to relax their travel advisories and take meaningful actions to support Mindanao’s development. I reaffirm my commitment to this effort.
Reference: Map (Travel Advisory for Japanese National)