Palace: Japanese defense chief to check Japan’s relief work in Visayas

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 30): Palace: Japanese defense chief to check Japan’s relief work in Visayas

Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera will visit the Philippines next week to check on Japanese Self-Defense Forces personnel involved in humanitarian relief activities in the typhoon-ravaged areas in the Philippines, a Malacanang official said on Saturday.

Citing information from the Department of National Defense, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Onodera’s visit will focus on Japan’s participation on the ongoing relief works in the Visayas.

According to Coloma, three Japanese ships with some 1,000 personnel from the Japanese Self-Defense Forces are in the Philippines for the ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts.

The Japanese forces also have C-130 planes and other equipment needed for their operation in the disaster areas, he said.

Coloma said that on Sunday, Dec. 1, the Task Force Yolanda and the Japan Joint Task Force, and the Philippine Disaster Relief Medical Team will conduct a relief mission in Leyte.

“Kaya iyon pong pagdalaw ni Japanese Defense Minister Onodera, ang pangunahing pakay po ay iyong pagpunta sa calamity area, at pag-assess ng ginagawang assistance ng Japanese Self-Defense Forces,” he said.

The Japanese defense chief’s visit is in the midst of rising tension in East China Sea, following China’s imposition of an air defense zone, which it said was aimed at bolstering its guard from outside threats.

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