What Are Some Contributions of the Japanese to the Philippines?
While there was a Japanese occupation of the Republic of the Philippines between 1942 and 1945 that was widely resented by Filipinos, since the end of World War II Japan has been a vital trade partner that has helped boost the Philippine economy. Japan also provided support in 1980 to the new Philippine government. Recently Japan has also provided much-needed aid to the Philippines for rebuilding after Typhoon Haiyan.
The Japanese invaded the Philippines on December 8, 1941 as a strategic move against the United States. This invasion started less than a day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and eventually the Japanese established a strong military presence in the Philippines. While the Japanese promised independence to the islands after the war, most Filipino nationals resented the occupation and many actively fought against the Japanese. Eventually, the Japanese surrendered and lost control of the Philippines in 1945.
Since the end of the war and Japanese occupation, Philippine-Japanese relations have grown stronger. The Japanese have served as an essential trade partner to help rebuild and stimulate the Philippine economy, and the Japanese aided in rebuilding the Philippine government in the 1980s. Japan continues to provide humanitarian and economic aid to the Philippines, most notably during the restoration period after Typhoon Haiyan.
