Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (Source: AP)Hanoi (VNA) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte arrived in Japan on October 25 to start his three-day visit to enhance cooperation in navigation security and infrastructure development.
This marks the first visit of the President to the East Asian country since he came into office in June 2016.
At a reception for Duterte, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said the President hailed Japan as the biggest trade partner of the Philippines and for having provided economic support to the Southeast Asian nation.
The two sides discussed the East Sea situation and other regional issues.
The Philippine President is scheduled to meet with the host’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on October 26.
During this meeting, Japan wants to emphasise the importance of abiding by the recent ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague , the Netherlands , on the Philippines ’s lawsuit against China’s claims in the waters.
Prime Minister Abe plans to offer support to the Philippines to increase its maritime patrolling capacity, build infrastructure, and develop agriculture in Mindanao island in the southern Philippines.
During his stay in Japan , Duterte will deliver a speech at an economics forum on October 26 and meet with Japanese Emperor Akihito on October 27.
The visit comes after the President made four-day visit to China last week.-VNA
