Rody off to Tokyo today

TOKYO – President Duterte arrives in Japan today to begin a three-day state visit aimed at enhancing diplomatic relations and reaffirming the strategic partnership between Manila and Tokyo.

Japan, through Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has expressed hope there would be affirmation of cooperation on regional and international issues, including the South China Sea dispute and North Korea’s belligerence.

It is Duterte’s first visit to Japan as president but his meeting with Abe would be his second as the two met at the ASEAN summit last Sept. 9 in Laos.

In a pre-departure briefing, Atsushi Ueno, minister and deputy chief of mission of the Japanese embassy in Manila, said the President’s visit is one of the highlights of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Philippines this year.

Embassy officials also noted that Japan’s assistance to the Philippines is focused on economic growth, overcoming vulnerability and boosting peace and development in Mindanao.

Duterte is expected to arrive in Tokyo at 5:30 p.m. and meet with the Filipino community tonight.

Tomorrow, the officers of the Japan-Philippines Parliamentarians Friendship League would pay him a courtesy call. Duterte will address the Philippine Economic Forum also tomorrow.

Duterte will have “expanded bilateral meetings” with Abe in the afternoon, after which they would likely issue a joint statement.

On Thursday, JICA president Shinichi Kitaoka will pay a courtesy call on Duterte, followed by leaders of business groups – Jetro, Marubeni and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.

Duterte will call on Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Palace on Thursday before flying back to the Philippines via the Davao International Airport.

Meanwhile, Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito said Duterte is expected to invite proposals for the construction and modernization of the country’s railways during his visit to Japan.

Ejercito, who is with the presidential delegation to Tokyo, said Duterte and his officials are expected to meet with JICA representatives to discuss possible official development assistance (ODA) to fund various projects, including railways.

“We hope there will be firm commitments that will be made for railway projects in this trip,” the senator said. Ejercito earlier filed a bill seeking to establish a Mindanao railway system.

He said while putting up new commuter and cargo lines would be very expensive, benefits to the economy would be immense.

“Trains will greatly reduce the cost and speed up the transport of goods and people, aside from easing congestion,” Ejercito said. – With Paolo Romero