By Argyll Geducos
TOKYO, Japan---President Duterte arrived in Tokyo, Japan late Tuesday for his participation to Nikkei's 25th International Conference on the Future of Asia on Friday.
President Duterte touches down at the Haneda International Airport at 9:52 pm (Japan time) (photos from MARO)
Duterte landed at the Haneda International Airport at 9:52 p.m. (Japan time). He is greeted by Deputy Chief of Mission Eduardo Meñez and Philippine Ambassador to Japan Jose C. Laurel V.
He is also welcomed by Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda and wife Ihoko Haneda, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshiko Abe, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Chief of Protocol Kiminori Iwama.
Also greeting the President is MOFA Second Southeast Asia Division Director Shingo Miyamoto.
Duterte left the Philippines Tuesday afternoon and arrived in Tokyo on board a private plane. This is his third visit to Japan since he became president in 2016.
The President will be speaking at the Nikkei conference on Friday where he is expected to highlight the role of Asia in chartering its own future.
Duterte will also be meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo on Friday to reaffirm the country's ties with Japan and to take stock of the progress of the strengthened strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan in areas of mutually beneficial cooperation.
Among items which may be discussed during Duterte's meeting with Abe are defense and security, economic cooperation, infrastructure development, the entry of Filipino skilled workers in Japan, and Japanese assistance for the development of the Bangsamoro region. The issue on the South China Sea and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula may also be discussed.
Duterte will also be speaking in a business forum on Wednesday before meeting members of the Filipino community on Thursday.