Executive Room, Presidential Guest House,
DPWH Panacan, Davao City
August 11, 2016

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte welcomed Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida in a courtesy call at the Presidential Guest House in Panacan, Davao City. Minister Kishida is in the country for a three-day official visit.

The Foreign Minister’s visit aims to strengthen cooperative partnership between the Philippines and Japan, which coincides with the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

During the call, President Duterte and Minister Kishida discussed the issue of the disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea, including Japan’s support in terms of enhancing the capabilities of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Also, the two leaders tackled development projects for the Mindanao region.

Present during the courtesy call are Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Jr., Finance (DOF) Secretary Carlos Dominguez, National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Ernesto Pernia.

The Foreign Minister is accompanied by Japanese envoy to the Philippines, Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa, and Director General Kazuya of the Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs Department.

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