JAPAN will likely take up President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration that he will be “separating” the Philippines from the United States and aligning with China and Russia, a Japanese diplomat said Friday.
“We will discuss. We like to listen to what President Duterte has to say, explain to our leaders about the foreign policy of his administration,” Tokyo’s deputy chief of mission in Manila Atsushi Ueno told reporters.
He said the matter would likely be taken up during Duterte’s state visit to Japan on Oct. 25 to 27, when he is expected to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
“The two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral issues and regional issues and through these conversations, we would like to strengthen bilateral cooperation,” Ueno said.
He said the two leaders were expected to talk about cooperation in maritime security and defense.
Duterte is also expected to address Japanese business leaders and the Filipino community in Japan.
Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs is also expected to be discussed, but Ueno said he had no details yet about it.
He said Duterte was also scheduled to visit Japan Marine United Corporation, maker of Coast Guard vessels some of which had been provided to the Philippine Coast Guard, in Yokohama City.
”Actually, we have delivered the first one and had a turnover ceremony very recently, but we are going to deliver the remaining nine vessels,” Ueno said.
Duterte will also call on Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Palace at 5 p.m. on Oct. 27.
Ueno said Duterte had visited Japan “several times before” when he was mayor of Davao City, according to Ueno.
Duterte was set to arrive Friday night at the Davao International Airport from his four-day state visit to China.
His visit to Japan next week will reaffirm the six decades of strategic partnership between Tokyo and Manila, Ueno said.