By EJ Roque/Philippine News Agency
MANILA – President Rodrigo R. Duterte left Tuesday afternoon for a three-day visit to Japan to attend the 25th Nikkei Conference on the Future of Asia and a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Duterte left Manila at 4:52 pm via a private plane, said Senator-elect Christopher “Bong” Go in a message to reporters.
The President is scheduled to attend business forums and roundtable meetings with the Japanese business sector to encourage investments and further heighten interest in the Philippines as a Japanese tourist destination of choice.
Duterte will likewise meet with the Filipino community in Japan and personally convey his appreciation for their continuing sacrifices and contributions to the country’s socio-economic development.
He is also expected to assert Asia’s role in charting its own future when he delivers his speech at the 25th Nikkei Conference on the Future of Asia on the second day of the conference set on May 30-31.
The President’s address is expected to highlight Philippine development goals and accomplishments, foreign policy thrusts, and insights on regional and global developments.
Duterte is also expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the regional conference.
Trade Secretary Lopez on Monday (May 27) said Philippine and Japanese firms are expected to sign over 20 business agreements worth PHP300 billion, which would create at least 80,000 jobs.
The Nikkei Conference on the Future of Asia is an annual meeting that gathers government and business leaders to share their respective assessments of Asia’s prospects and their ideas as to the direction Asia should chart for itself.
The President is expected to return to the country early Saturday morning.
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