Abe arrives today on official visit

THE Philippine government has pulled out all the stops in preparation for the two-day official visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the first head of state to visit the Philippines under President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s administration.

Mr. Abe will arrive on Thursday, Jan. 12. At Malacañang, he and his Philippine counterpart, Mr. Duterte, are expected to read a joint statement and also sign a number of agreements on transportation and agriculture cooperation.

Messrs. Abe and Duterte will also meet with delegates representing Philippine and Japanese business. Although this is an official visit by Mr. Abe, there will be a state banquet in his honor.

On Friday, Mr. Abe is scheduled to fly to Mr. Duterte’s hometown of Davao City, where the two leaders will also meet with businessmen there.

Mr. Abe will also visit the Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku or Mindanao International College, a Japanese-run school in Davao.

In his press briefing on Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr. said: “Japan has been ready in giving us assistance to enhance our capacity also in fighting illegal drugs. And I understand that there is a possibility that they will be giving us assistance in so far as providing for the construction of building drug rehabilitation centers. This is something that we’re looking forward to.”

He added that the Duterte government is “very positive” in “strengthening further our relationship with Japan.”

“We will continue to nurture it and treasure it for our mutual relations,” Mr. Yasay said.

Mr. Duterte last year went to Japan on an official visit. —