Manila Philippines — Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense are scheduled to visit the Philippines on July 8.
In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said that DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo, and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. are scheduled to meet Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamikawa Yoko and Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru during an official visit to the country.
Such meeting is part of the second Philippines-Japan Foreign and Defense (2+2) Ministerial Meeting.
The four ministers of the two countries are expected to discuss bilateral, defense and security among the issues facing the region and exchange views on regional and international issues.
“The four Ministers are expected to discuss bilateral and defense and security issues affecting the region, and exchange views on regional and international issues,” said the DFA statement.
It is also expected that there will be a separate meeting between the two ministers to discuss important matters in various fields.
“During the visit, the Secretary for Foreign Affairs and the Secretary of National Defense will hold separate bilateral meetings with their counterparts to discuss areas of mutual concern,” added the DFA.
The purpose of this visit by the Japanese official is to strengthen the strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan.
Meanwhile, according to Japanese lawmaker, it is possible to amend the Philippines-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) during the visit of the two ministers to the country.
According to Japanese House of Representatives member Wada Yoshiaki, the cooperation between the Philippines and Japan needs to be intensified to ease the tension in the West Philippine Sea.
The lawmaker also expressed Japan’s condemnation of the aggressive action by Chinese Coast Guard personnel against military troops in Ayungin Shoal.
“So Japan and the Philippines should work together to make sure that such incidence in West PH Sea should not have been painful. And to do so, Japan is committed ready to provide the necessary assets to the base to protect the Philippines,” according to Japanese House of Representatives member Wada Yoshiaki in a statement.
The first 2+2 ministerial meeting between the two countries was held in Tokyo, Japan in April 2022.
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