Duterte’s 2nd visit to Japan to enhance bilateral relations

FILE: President Rodrigo Duterte and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (Photo: Presidential Communications (Government of the Philippines)/ Facebook)

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte’s working visit to Japan on October 29 to 31 is intended to further enhance the strong bilateral relations between the Philippines and Japan.

In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said Duterte will discuss matters of mutual interest to both countries with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

He said Duterte is also scheduled to meet other high-ranking Japanese government officials and influential captains of industry.

This will be the President’s second visit to Japan. Abe himself will make a second visit to the Philippines to attend the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings in mid-November.

Abella said aside from bilateral issues in the economic, industrial, social and security arena, discussions are also expected to include regional developments, including peace and stability in the region, particularly in the Korean Peninsula.

Both sides are also expected to engage in dialogue relative to the Philippine chairmanship of ASEAN and preparations for the Prime Minister’s own return visit to the Philippines for the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings in Manila this November.

In the same press briefing, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Robespierre Bolivar said Duterte’s second visit “is evidence of the strong and deep bonds between the Philippines and Japan.”

“We note that the Philippines and Japan’s interests converge on many points, in the political, economic, socio-cultural, and people-to-people fronts, and we are committed to further strengthening our cooperation on these many areas in the bilateral, regional, and UN levels,” Bolivar said.

He said aside from bilateral issues in the economic, industrial, social, and security arena, discussions are also expected to include regional developments including peace and stability in the region, particularly in the Korean Peninsula.

For his part, Takehiro Kano, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission of the Japanese Embassy, said Duterte and Abe will discuss various issues such as economic infrastructure development, Japan’s support for the Mindanao peace process, illegal drug measures, and security and counter-terrorism measures.

They are also expected to discuss regional issues such as North Korea and the South China Sea, matters that will also be discussed in the ASEAN Related Leaders’ Summit meeting. (OPS)