MANILA, Philippines - The further strengthening of the strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan based on shared values took center stage during Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario’s courtesy call on Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Kantei (Prime Minister’s Office) in Tokyo last week.
Abe and Del Rosario discussed the regional situation and the particular maritime security challenges confronted in common by the Philippines and Japan, being two important island nations in the Asia-Pacific. They noted the Philippines and Japan’s shared advocacy in promoting the rule of law.
Along these lines, Abe manifested the Japanese government’s support for the Philippines’ initiation of arbitral proceedings last January, pursuant to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in its bid to clarify maritime zones and entitlements in the South China Sea.
Del Rosario expressed the Philippines’ appreciation for Japan’s stance, stressing the crucial role of international law in attaining a durable resolution to international disputes based on a level playing field.
He also briefed Abe on the Philippines’ parallel pursuit of diplomatic and political avenues in order to address maritime concerns.
Abe and Del Rosario welcomed this year’s commemoration of the 40th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. They also exchanged views on other regional matters, including the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Del Rosario is concluding a two-day visit to Tokyo, having been invited to address the prestigious annual Nikkei International Conference on the Future of Asia.
Apart from the call on Abe, the trip saw Del Rosario meet with his Japanese counterpart, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Vice President Hiroto Arakawa, and Rep. Katsuyuki Kawai, chair of the foreign relations committee of Japan’s House of Representatives.
Japan is the Philippines’ number one trade partner and provider of official development assistance.