Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi is set to visit Manila this week for high-level meetings with Philippine officials led by Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro. The discussions will cover mutual concerns including the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea. The Department of Foreign Affairs announced the bilateral meeting for January 15.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Friday that Toshimitsu Motegi, Japan's Foreign Minister, will visit Manila for a bilateral meeting on January 15. This visit comes as the two nations celebrate the 70th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations this year.
During the meeting, the two foreign ministers are expected to review key developments in the Philippines-Japan 'Strengthened Strategic Partnership' and discuss regional and international matters. These include the Philippines' chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this year and the situation in the South China Sea (SCS).
The DFA stated, 'During the meeting, the two foreign ministers are expected to review key developments in the Philippines-Japan ‘Strengthened Strategic Partnership’ and discuss regional and international matters,' highlighting the importance of the SCS and West Philippine Sea in the talks.
In recent years, the two countries have bolstered their bilateral ties through joint naval exercises and other combined training activities with partner nations. They recently signed a Reciprocal Access Agreement that provides their militaries with more opportunities to train together and enhance interoperability.
This visit underscores the strong cooperation amid the region's evolving landscape, particularly on maritime issues.
