Davao International Airport, Davao City
January 13, 2017

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan concluded his two-day official visit in the country that elevated further the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan.

Prime Minister Abe is the first foreign leader to visit the Philippines under the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. He was accompanied by his spouse, Madame Akie Abe, and the rest of the Japanese delegation throughout his visit from January 12-13, 2017.

During his stay, Prime Minister Abe was accorded with an arrival ceremony by President Duterte at Malacañan Palace, and the two leaders held a series of meetings. They also witnessed the signing of several agreements and memoranda of cooperation.

Aside from his visit to Manila, the Prime Minister went to President Duterte’s hometown in Davao City for several engagements. The Japanese leader personally visited the President in his private residence at Doña Luisa Subdivision in New Matina, Davao City.

Likewise, the two leaders met with Filipino and Japanese business leaders at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, followed by a closed-door meeting with their respective delegation.

One of the highlights of the Prime Minister’s visit was the eagle naming ceremony, wherein a rescued Philippine Eagle was named ‘Sakura’, a Japanese word that means cherry blossoms. The ceremony was held in honor of the Japanese government’s support for the rehabilitation of the endangered species in the country.

This was the third time that Prime Minister Abe visited the Philippines as Head of Government. He first went to the country in 2013 and attended the Philippine hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting in 2015.

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