PH – Japan meeting on defense, security set in July

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino and Japanese officials are set to convene in a Foreign and Defense Ministerial meeting, otherwise known as 2+2, on July 8, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed.

In a statement, DFA said Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamikawa Yoko and Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru will visit Manila to meet with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.

The DFA said the four ministers are expected to discuss bilateral, defense, and security issues affecting the region and exchange views on regional and international issues.

“During the visit, the Secretary for Foreign Affairs and the Secretary of National Defense will hold separate bilateral meetings with their counterparts to discuss areas of mutual concern,” the DFA added.

According to the DFA, the 2+2 foreign and defense ministers meeting is the highest consultative mechanism between the Philippines and Japan to date.

The meeting will be held in light of China’s continued aggression in Philippine waters.