Davao City – July 10, 2025 — Davao City Acting Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte formally welcomed Mr. Ono Hirotaka, the newly appointed Consul General of the Consulate General of Japan in Davao, during a courtesy call held Thursday at the Matina Enclaves Residences.
The meeting marked Mr. Hirotaka’s official introduction to the city and provided a platform to reaffirm the longstanding relationship between Japan and Davao, underscoring shared aspirations for stronger cooperation in the years ahead.
Mayor Duterte and Consul General Hirotaka discussed several key areas of potential collaboration, including increased Japanese investment, cultural and economic exchanges, and job-generating initiatives for local communities. Among the highlights was the discussion on leveraging Japanese technological advancements to support the city’s development goals.
Another promising topic raised was the establishment of direct flights between Davao City and Japan—seen as a potential game-changer for regional connectivity, trade, and tourism.
“This engagement is a reflection of the mutual trust and respect between Davao City and Japan,” said Acting Mayor Duterte. “We are excited about deepening our cooperation in areas that will bring meaningful progress to our people.”
Joining the meeting were key city officials: Councilor Atty. Rachel Zozobrado, Chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on International Relations; Ms. April Marie C. Dayap, Officer-in-Charge of the Davao City Investment and Promotion Center (DCIPC); and Mr. Harvey James Lanticse, Officer-in-Charge of the City Information Office (CIO).
For his part, Consul General Hirotaka expressed appreciation for the warm welcome and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to strengthening its engagement in Mindanao, particularly in Davao City.
“This is an important step toward a more fruitful partnership,” said Hirotaka. “We look forward to working closely with the city government to promote initiatives that benefit both Japan and Davao.”
As both sides move forward with this renewed collaboration, city officials and the Japanese Consulate expressed optimism about future endeavors that will further elevate Davao City’s global partnerships and contribute to inclusive local development.