Japan hopes for early final peace agreement

Japan has expressed confidence the Philippine government and the Moro rebels would “continue holding sincere peace talks and reach a final agreement at an early stage.”

Japan hosted Thursday’s meeting between President Benigno Aquino III and Moro rebel leader Murad Ebrahim.

In a statement at the weekend, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Tokyo government hoped the meeting “becomes a meaningful opportunity for smoothly proceeding with the Mindanao peace process.”

Tokyo vowed to do its part in ensuring the “progress” of the Mindanao peace process with its J-BIRD development project.

J-BIRD, which the ministry said is “well-known among residents in Mindanao,” is short for the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiative for Reconstruction and Development.

Launched in 2006, the J-BIRD program has provided more than P6 billion in development assistance to conflict-affected communities in Mindanao.

Japan is using the program to pursue its goals of alleviating poverty and consolidating peace and stability, according to the Japanese Embassy.