GMA sets 4th visit to Japan

President Arroyo is set to embark on a state visit to Japan next month.

It would be the President’s fourth visit to Japan. She is scheduled to hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi from Dec. 10 to 14 concerning regional and trade issues.

Both leaders are expected to discuss various regional problems and measures to deepen friendship ties, according to the Japanese foreign ministry.

The Japanese ministry said, however, it is not clear if both leaders would also address measures to fight terrorism.

As Malacañang started preparations for the upcoming state visit to Tokyo, the Japanese ministry announced that the President and First Gentleman Mike Arroyo will also pay a visit to Japan’s royal family.

Mrs. Arroyo went on a working visit to Japan twice last year and once earlier this year in Osaka on the invitation of major Japanese media organizations.

The President earlier defended her frequent trips to Japan by claiming the country is the prime donor of the Philippines on official development assistance (ODA) as well as a major source of investment and tourism.

Mrs. Arroyo is presently winding up her participation in the eighth summit of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Cambodia in preparation for a state visit to Vietnam.

In an overseas telephone call to Malacañang reporters yesterday, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the President’s visit to Vietnam is an effort to renew the strong ties and friendship of the Philippines with the country as well as other ASEAN member nations.

"It is possible that the two governments would take up the forging of steps to widen and expand the regional campaign against terrorism," Bunye said.

Bunye disclosed Vietnam has expressed interest in joining the anti-terrorism pact initiated by the Philippines early this year.

Thailand was the latest to join the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei in the anti-terror pact where signatories are expected to exchange intelligence and information in the fight against terrorism in the region.

Prior to the ASEAN summit, Mrs. Arroyo had just concluded a working visit to Honolulu and Los Angeles in the United States following the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit held in Los Cabos, Mexico.

After the APEC summit, Mrs. Arroyo and her party proceeded to San Diego, San Jose and San Francisco in the US west coast for a working visit. — Marichu Villanueva