Aquino to raise Spratlys in Japan visit

President Benigno Aquino III will raise certain issues concerning the disputed West Philippine Sea region when he meets Japanese leaders during a visit to Tokyo later this month, Malacañang said.

Mr. Aquino will be discussing the idea of unhampered trade and freedom of navigation in the region “so complimentary efforts could be done to ensure the safety of trade,” according to a statement from the Presidential Communications and Operations Office.

The West Philippine Sea—referred to by China as the South China Sea and by Vietnam as the East Sea— is an area of mutual interest for both the Philippines and Japan, the President was quoted as saying.

The West Philippine Sea region, which includes the reputedly oil- and gas-rich Spratlys group of islets, is being claimed by the countries in its periphery, including the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia.

Another major agenda in the discussions in Tokyo will be the use of nuclear energy amid ongoing debates in the Philippines on the use of nuclear power and in the wake of the Japan’s recent nuclear emergency following the devastating earthquake and tsunami last March that damaged the Fukushima nuclear plant.

“Their experiences undoubtedly will help us, will guide us on whether or not to do the same,” Mr. Aquino said.

The President said he would also want to express the Filipino people’s solidarity with the Japanese people in the wake of the devastation the country had suffered, noting that Filipinos feel a strong sense of utang na loob (debt of gratitude)” with Japan.

“Japan has been very good to us, contributing the largest [amount] of official development assistance. Japan has undergone a tremendous shock with both earthquake and tsunami and of course the continuing issue on radioactivity,” he said.

Mr. Aquino will be meeting with the new Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, whom he described as “a good prime minister.”

He said he was honored that he would only be  the second head of state or government to be talking to Noda.

“We want to appraise him about the things happening in the Philippines …and for him to appraise us also about  things happening in Japan,” Mr. Aquino said.