Just a couple of days after his arrival from an official visit to the United States, President Benigno Aquino III on Friday was all set to leave the country on Sunday for his three-day working visit to Japan.
Aquino's September 25 to 28 trip to Japan stemmed from an invitation from the Japanese government, foreign affairs assistant secretary Ma Theresa Lazaro said at a press briefing in Malacañang on Friday.
According to her, the visit is aimed at nurturing strategic partnership and extensive relations between the two countries.
Lazaro said both countries look at the visit as an opportunity to further strengthen the special bonds of friendship cultivated by the two nations over the last 55 years.
Japan remains as the Philippines’ leading source of Official Development Assistance (ODA) and one of its top trading partners and sources of foreign direct investments and tourists.
“The emerging strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan [will enable] both countries to intensify economic cooperation... mutual prosperity and political cooperation to address bilateral and especially global and regional issues of global import," Lazaro said.
She said Aquino will be the second head of state to visit Japan since Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda assumed office early this month.
On September 27, the President will have an evening meeting with Noda in Tokyo. The event will be followed by an official dinner to be hosted by the prime minister.
The state leaders are expected to discuss the advancement of bilateral relations and exchange views on issues of mutual interest.
Aquino and Noda are expected to issue a joint statement affirming the two countries’ shared values and their commitment to nurturing mutually beneficial cooperation.
Also, Aquino will reiterate to Japan’s leadership the Philippine message of solidarity and its continuing support for Japan’s reconstruction. He will also thank Japan for its support in the Mindanao peace process and for its assistance to grassroots projects in conflict-torn areas.
Lazaro said the Philippine government is finalizing an assistance package it will offer to Japan.
She said the two leaders will also take note of the strength of economic ties as evident in Japan’s position as the top country in three key areas in 2010, as the Philippines’ top trade partner, top investor, and top ODA provider.
Both leaders are also expected to discuss Japan’s development assistance for the Philippines, and witness an exchange of notes on a Y9.2-billion loan package on the project on forest lands management, which will benefit the Philippine river basins and upland regions.
Lazaro said the loan will be for a project that will cover four areas: Regions 2, 3, 4 and the Cordillera Autonomous Region.
Other issues expected to be tackled are maritime security, including the Spratlys territorial dispute, climate change, the Association of South East Asian Nations, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation to be held in November, and on certain aspects of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).
Aquino will also highlight the country’s strong economic performance and encourage continued Japanese investments in the Philippines including through Japanese participation in infrastructure developments under the public-private partnership scheme.
Moreover, Aquino will pay a state call on His Majesty Emperor Akihito, who will be hosting a Court Luncheon in honor of the President, on September 28.
Lazaro said apart from official meetings, the Aquino will also be engaging full calendar of business events, meeting with the key Japanese business organizations such as the Keidanren, the Japan Business Federation, the Japan-Tokyo Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and the Japan Philippine Economic Cooperation Committee.
Aquino will also be having individual calls by leaders of top Japanese firms on September 27, and witness the signing of memorandum of understanding on new investment projects.
He will also meet the Filipino Community in Tokyo shortly after his arrival on September 25.
In a gesture of continuing solidarity with Japan, the President will also visit Miyagi Prefecture, particularly the city of Ishinomaki, one of the localities most severely hit by the March 11 disaster with about 46 percent of the city inundated by the 10-meter high tsunami that traveled as far as 600 meters inland. — LBG
