Duterte off to Japan ahead of ASEAN meeting

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte is scheduled to visit Japan on Oct. 29 to 31, according to a statement by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday, Oct. 25.

The Japanese government confirmed this, with Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga saying at a press briefing also on Wednesday: “Japan and the Philippines have close ties and our strategic partnership can promote stability in the region.”

Mr. Duterte will discuss with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe “matters of mutual interest to both countries,” the statement said, adding:

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

This will be Mr. Duterte’s second time to travel to Japan as president, this time on a working visit, ahead of the ASEAN Summit in Manila.

Mr. Duterte first traveled to Japan on a state visit on Oct. 25-27 last year. His forthcoming meeting with Mr. Abe will be his third.

Last June, Mr. Duterte was supposed to be a guest speaker at a forum in Japan organized by Nikkei, but the trip was canceled amid the Marawi crisis at the time.

“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,” the DFA said. —