Prime Minister Shinzo Abe departs for Japan
after fruitful Manila visit
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe departed from
Manila to Japan Saturday afternoon after concluding his two-day official visit
to the Philippines.
The Japanese leader left Ninoy Aquino
International Airport Terminal II around 5pm Saturday on board a Boeing 747
jumbo jet.
Among the members who sent him off include
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Transportation and Communication
Secretary Jose Emilio Abaya and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao
Urabe.
During the meeting between Abe and President
Benigno S. Aquino III in Malacanang, both leaders expressed their commitment to
further strengthen relations to improve economic engagements, maritime and
security ties.
Abe’s visit to the Philippines is expected to
elevate the Philippines-Japan strategic partnership to a higher level in the
midst of continuing Chinese intrusion in the West Philippine Sea.
The President thanked the Japanese government
for helping enhance the capacity of the Philippine Coast Guard by building a
multi-role response vessels and by providing communication equipment
Under the expanded bilateral agreement, both
leaders agreed to continue high-level visits and people-to-people exchanges,
allowing more tourists and students to enter Japan and the Philippines.
Abe first visited the Philippines in December
2006 during his first term as Japanese prime minister.
The Philippines was the last leg of Abe’s
three-Asian nation swing. Prior to his arrival in Manila, the Japanese leader
visited Malaysia and Singapore. PND (as)
