Japan foreign minister to visit PH

Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi (Photo courtesy of Japan Foreign Ministry)

MANILA, Philippines — Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya will visit the Philippines next week to reaffirm Japan’s commitment to its “strengthened strategic partnership” with the country, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Friday.

Iwaya’s official visit is from Jan. 14 to Jan. 15, and a bilateral meeting will be held with Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo.

The DFA said the two top diplomats would discuss political, defense, security, economic and development cooperation, as well as other areas of mutual concern.

The two will also exchange views on regional and international developments.

“Amid an increasingly complex security environment, they are expected to reaffirm the mutual commitment to further enhancing the ‘Strengthened Strategic Partnership’ between the two countries and to seize new opportunities for cooperation,” the DFA said.