Duterte to embark on 3rd Japan trip this May

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte is visiting Japan by the end of May to attend the annual Future of Asia conference as he seeks to expand Manila’s bilateral ties with Tokyo.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo confirmed this Tuesday to Malacañang reporters.

“What I know is the invitation was personally carried here by the representative of the prime minister and according to what I heard also is that when the President accepted that, the representative of the prime minister came here to thank [Duterte],” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

Japan’s Nikkei said Duterte would speak at the forum, which would be on May 30 to 31.

Panelo said Duterte’s visit to Japan, which would be his third time since he assumed the presidency in 2016, would bolster Manila’s trade relations with Tokyo.

“Our trade relations would improve,” he said, adding that the Philippines has a lot of Japan-funded projects in the country.

Duterte first visited Japan in October 2016 and went back in October 2017. (Editor: Julie Espinosa)