Duterte to undertake 3-day state visit to Japan

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will embark on a three-day working visit to Japan starting October 29, following the recent electoral triumph of his Japanese counterpart, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Duterte’s visit was meant to bolster the Philippines’ bilateral ties with Japan.

“The President will discuss with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe matters of mutual interest to both countries. He is also scheduled to meet other high-ranking Japanese government officials and influential captains of industry,” the Foreign Affairs department said.

Duterte was expected to discuss with Abe some issues concerning the two countries’ bilateral relations in terms of economic, industrial, social and security arena.

The two leaders were also likely to talk about regional developments, including peace and stability in the region, particularly the situation in the Korean Peninsula.

The DFA said Duterte and Abe might also engage in dialogue relative to Philippine’s chairmanship of this year’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), as well as the Japanese leader’s return visit to the Philippines for the 31st Southeast Asian bloc conference in November.

Both the Philippines and Japan were members of the Asean.