Palace says it understands Japan PM Suga’s decision to call off PH visit

This file photo taken September 2, 2020, shows Japan’s then-chief cabinet secretary and currently Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in Tokyo. (Photo by Charly TRIBALLEAU / various sources / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Wednesday expressed understanding and even support over the postponement of Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s official visit to the Philippines.

Suga was supposed to visit the Philippines and India at the end of April. But the Japanese leader decided to call it off to focus on handling the recent resurgence of COVID-19 cases in his country.

“The Office of the President understands the decision of the Office of the Prime Minister to postpone the planned Official Visit of His Excellency Suga Yoshihide to the Philippines,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

READ: Japan PM to postpone visit to India, Philippines – media

“Defeating the COVID-19 pandemic is high on both the Philippines and Japan’s agenda and remains a key point of cooperation. The decision to postpone a planned Official Visit based on this ground, therefore, deserves support.”

“The strategic partnership and broad cooperation between the Philippines and Japan will continue to strengthen even as we jointly and individually work to address the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.

It was in December last year when President Rodrigo Duterte invited Suga to visit the Philippines.

The year 2021 marks the Philippines and Japan’s 65th year of diplomatic ties.

KGA