DFA secretary off to Japan

MANILA, Philippines - Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario will embark on a three-day official working visit to Japan beginning Wednesday on the invitation of his Japanese counterpart, Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday the secretary’s visit from June 27 to 29 is a follow-up to President Aquino’s visit to Japan in September 2011, during which the bilateral strategic partnership was forged. 

Both foreign ministers will discuss vital issues related to bilateral economic relations, cooperation in the field of maritime security, the Mindanao peace process, as well as regional issues such as security and cooperation.

Apart from the bilateral meeting with Gemba, Del Rosario will also call on Deputy Prime Minister Katsuya Okada and meet with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) president Akihiko Tanaka and officers of the Japan-Philippines Parliamentarian Friendship League (JPPFL), among others, to discuss the advancement of bilateral relations and exchange views on issues of mutual interest.