Japan is asking the Philippines for workers who could help build new facilities in preparation for the 2020 Olympics, Manila ’s incoming envoy to Tokyo said Tuesday.

Jose C. Laurel V, who accompanied President Rodrigo Duterte during his three-day official visit to Japan , late last month, said: "This is also a sign that the Filipino work is appreciated in Japan ."

The relationship between the Philippines and Japan is "stable" and unconditional, Laurel told the general membership meeting of the Management Association of the Philippines in Makati .

Laurel, the Philippine ambassador-designate to Japan said bilateral relations of the two countries, which used to be foes during World War II, have been perfected for the past 60 years.

"We have no animosities... Japan has given us support and friendship without conditions," Laurel said.

Although without naming countries, Laurel said others have been helping the Philippines , but based on conditions.

But he acknowledged "ticklish problems" that affect Japanese businesses in the Philippines , "classically taxation."

Laurel said it takes 10 years for Japanese firms to refund tax credits "But that is a little problem, a very small one," he said.

Some Japanese firms, particularly those in construction and logistics, usually seek value added tax refund from the Philippine government once the imported products are processed in the country and are re-exported.

In the past, VAT refund reached billions of pesos.

Laurel, who expects his confirmation as the new envoy to Japan before the end of the year, said he plans to assume the post early January.

His father became Philippine ambassador to Japan in 1966 until 1971.

Laurel expressed belief his appointment as Philippine ambassador to Japan is an advantage for the country because "they ( Japan ) have known my family, they have known me...you can deal with them with total transparency."

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa attended the forum.

Japan is the second biggest source of official development assistance, next to World Bank, in the second quarter of 2015. Celerina Monte/DMS