MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 8, 2013) – Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida is arriving Manila for a two-day official visit to discuss bilateral relations and other regional issues.
This will be Kishida’s first overseas trip since he was appointed by Japan’s newly-elected Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last year as Foreign Minister.
Kishida is scheduled to meet with President Benigno Aquino and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.
“The visit is an opportunity for both countries to advance the Philippines-Japan Strategic Partnership under the new Japanese administration. Japan is one of only two strategic partners of the Philippines and is one of the most important economic partners in terms of trade, investments and development assistance,” the Philippine Foreign Affairs said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
It did not say whether Aquino would raise the issue of Chinese intrusion into the scattered islands off the Philippines, and Japan which are being claimed by other countries, including China, Japan and the Philippines.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries was established in July 1956.
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