Duterte to discuss NoKor, joint partnership in two-day Japan trip

FILE: President Rodrigo Duterte and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (Photo: Ace Moradante/ Presidential Photo)

President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday said that he will discuss North Korea issues and bilateral partnership with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, hoping that his two-day official visit in Japan will bring positive news to the Philippines.

Speaking before his departure at the Davao International Airport, Duterte expressed gratitude to Japan for being “understanding” of the challenges the Philippines has faced and for providing assistance in addressing the threat of terrorism and violent extremism.

“I will discuss with him ways to significantly advance our already strong and strategic bilateral partnership, especially on matters involving socio-economic development, peace and progress in Mindanao, and the build-up of modern infrastructures in our country,” Duterte said.

“I therefore look forward to meeting once again Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who I consider to be a true friend of the Philippines,” the president added, noting that Japan has been a partner of the Philippines in pursuing peace in Mindanao and in the development of the whole nation.

“As we sustain these efforts, we have to act with other nations who share the same values and aspirations that we hold dear, and work together towards lasting peace, security and stability,” Duterte also said.

The President said that his second trip to Japan would pursue to further strengthen existing partnerships and establish new ones.

“I will work towards securing the Japanese business community as a key partner in our country’s development agenda,” Duterte said.

Duterte added that a nuclear war is “unacceptable”, saying that somebody has to talk to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un.

“It would be good if America, Japan, Korea, and Mr. Kim Jong-un talk and to convince him to sit down on a round table and just tell him that nobody’s threatening him, that there will be no war, and that if he can just tone down or stand down, stop the threats, and that would be the same for America,” Duterte said.

“Just to assure him that nobody’s after you, and America is not about ready to destroy a generation or a nation of people…We can start with the talks and perhaps talk to him and say, ‘In the meantime, we are not stopping you forcefully, but… it would go a long way if there is somebody whom you can talk to,’ and these are the countries that would make a difference,” he added.