Vice President Sara Duterte is now in Japan to attend the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Duterte had a courtesy call with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on September 26 for about 10 minutes according to Japan’s Foreign Ministry.
Kishida expressed his gratitude to Duterte for attending the State Funeral, and stated that he was impressed with the fact that both houses of the Congress of the Philippines have respectively adopted resolutions expressing sympathy on the passing of the former Prime Minister Abe.
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Duterte then expressed her profound condolences on the passing of the former Prime Minister Abe.
Duterte is the first cabinet-level secretary in Japan since the May 2022 elections. The Japanese leader vowed to work to strengthen PH-Japan ties under his watch.
Kishida also informed Duterte on Japan’s decision to facilitate the improvement of agricultural and fisheries value chains and the collection of small arms and light weapons in Mindanao.
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Tokyo will also render educational support for junior government officers of the Philippines to study in Japan and stated that he would like to work together based on the Philippines’ needs toward the establishment of an autonomous government in Bangsamoro in 2025.
“In addition, both sides exchanged views on the situation in the East and South China Seas and economic coercion, among others, and affirmed to work closely on these issues,” Japan’s Foreign Ministry said.
