Aquino off to Japan for ‘exhaustive’ one-day trip

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Aquino off to Japan for ‘exhaustive’ one-day trip
President Benigno Aquino III will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on matters affecting their countries, including tensions in the South China Sea arising from disputes with China

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III left for Japan early Tuesday morning, June 24, for what he called a “brief but expectedly exhaustive” working visit  primarily to keynote a conference on the peace process in the Southern Philippines.

In a speech prior to his departure for Tokyo, Aquino said his Japan visit, which includes a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, will further deepen already strong bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and Japan.

“I will meet with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to discuss important issues affecting our countries,” Aquino said at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 in Pasay City.

The President said among these issues are the Philippines’ pursuit for a lasting and comprehensive peace in Mindanao, and regional development. The two leaders are also expected to discuss their respective territorial disputes with China.

Aquino said he will thank Japan for its continued cooperation with the Philippines in various fields, ranging from tourism, trade and infrastructure development, to disaster resilience and assistance during times of calamity, as seen in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda last year.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said earlier that after the meeting, the two leaders will deliver their respective press statements at 1:25 pm (local time).

From Tokyo, Aquino will proceed to Hiroshima to address a global conference centered on the implementation of the peace agreement signed by the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in March. It is organized by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Research and Education for Peace of the Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Aquino said he will apprise participants at The Consolidation for Peace for Mindanao conference on the steps to be undertaken by the Philippine government to foster peace in Mindanao. He will also personally thank JICA for its assistance in the peace process.

The President noted that Japan has been the Philippines’ top trading partner and biggest source of official development – Rappler.com

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