President Duterte flew to Japan yesterday for a three-day official visit aimed to deepen and broaden the country’s ties with one of its valued strategic partner.
“I go to Japan with full trust that we can understand each other and Japan will understand my position vis-à-vis with the foreign policy that I want to implement. It’s just a question of a policy that is really truly Filipino,” the Chief Executive said in a press briefing before his departure for Tokyo.
Duterte said that he looks forward to meeting Prime Minister Shinzo Abe again in Tokyo.
According to the President, Abe’s invitation extended at the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting in Laos last September paves the way for discussions on key issues of mutual importance to the Philippines and Japan.
Experts earlier noted that the Japanese Prime Minister is in a tough spot, given Duterte’s harsh rhetoric on the United States.
Atsushi Ueno, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Japanese Embassy, also said last week that Abe would likely want to listen to Duterte’s explanation on his shift in foreign policy.
Duterte’s trip to Japan follows his state visit to China where he announced his “separation” from the US – a statement which he also clarified upon his arrival last Friday.
The President emphasized that it’s “not severance of ties,” but a “separation of foreign policy, that it need not dovetail the foreign policy of America.”
Duterte described his visit to Tokyo as “most-awaited” and a “valuable opportunity to further deepen and broaden the Philippines’ relationship with Japan, our valued strategic partner and one of our true friends,” he said.
Aside from his foreign policy, among other issues that Duterte is expected to discuss when he meets with Abe are greater politico-social and defense cooperation, particularly in maritime domain awareness and maritime security.
“With Japan as the Philippines’ top trading partner, I shall seek the sustainment and further enhancement of our important economic ties. I look forward to meeting business leaders in Japan. I will tell them clearly that the Philippines is open for business,” he said.
To support the Philippines’ sustained growth and development, the President said he shall seek to open more avenues of cooperation in key infrastructure development. (Elena L. Aben)
