(Reuters) — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte arrived in Japan on Tuesday (October 25) evening – a trip that comes after his recent jolting remarks about Philippine’s pivot away from Washington and toward China.
During his three-day official visit in Japan, Duterte is expected to discuss about security issues regarding with maritime disputes over the South China Sea and economic partnership with Japan.
Aiming to push for the rule of law in the South China Seas, Japan has sought to strengthen ties with the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries as a counter-balance to Beijing.
Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida will meet Duterte on Tuesday for a low-key dinner, and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will hold rare one-on-one talks with Duterte at his residence in Tokyo the next evening following a larger, more formal meeting with senior officials.
