Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 27) — Vice President Sara Duterte paid a courtesy call on Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo on Monday, a day before the state funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
This is Duterte’s first overseas trip as vice president. She is also the first cabinet-level dignitary of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration to visit Japan.
Earlier, the Vice President said she will bring letters of condolences from Marcos and from her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, on the death of Abe – Japan’s longest-serving prime minister who was assassinated in broad daylight in July.
Kishida and Duterte’s meeting lasted for 10 minutes, according to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
It said the Japanese leader thanked Duterte for flying to his country to attend Abe’s funeral, and “stated that he was impressed” that both houses of the Philippine Congress adopted resolutions expressing sympathy on the passing of his predecessor.
Kishida also discussed with Duterte ways to improve relations between the two countries.
The MOFA said among these is Japan’s plan to facilitate the improvement of agricultural and fisheries value chains and the reduction of small arms and light weapons in Mindanao. Japan announced earlier this month that it will provide a $5-million grant to help address the issue of sporadic conflicts in the Bangsamoro by reducing the number of such weapons in the area.
The Prime Minister added that they want to continue helping the Bangsamoro region in establishing an autonomous government, as well as in sending Filipino junior government officers to study in Japan.
“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,” the ministry said.
Kishida also met with other foreign leaders ahead of the funeral. Among them are United States Vice President Kamala Harris and Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
