Japan PM to visit Phl amid regional disputes

MANILA, Philippines - Amid the heightening tension in the region over territorial disputes, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be undertaking an official visit to Manila from July 26 to 27.

A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said Abe will meet with President Benigno S. Aquino III to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional issues, and further advance the Strategic Partnership between the Philippines and Japan.

Both the Philippines and Japan are embroiled in territorial dsiputes over portions of the South China Sea and East China Sea with China.

The last time that the prime minister of Japan visited the Philippines was in December 2006 when  Abe visited Manila during his first term as the head of the Japanese Government.

Japan is one of only two strategic partners of the Philippines. In 2012, Japan was the Philippines’ number one trade partner and provider of official development assistance as well as the second major source of approved investments and third source of tourist arrivals.