Japanese PM arrives in Manila for two-day official visit

MANILA, Philippines — Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru arrived in Manila on Tuesday for a two-day official visit.

The plane carrying Shigeru and his wife, Ishiba Yoshiko, landed at past 1:00 p.m.

At 4:00 p.m., the prime minister is scheduled to attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Park in Manila.

This will be followed by arrival honors led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., signing of the guestbook, a bilateral meeting, presentation of signed agreements, and other events at Malacañan Palace.

In a statement on April 23, the Presidential Communications Office said the meeting would aim to “deepen and improve economic and development cooperation, political and defense engagements, and people-to-people exchanges” between the two nations.

“Both leaders are also expected to exchange views on regional and global developments and explore new pathways towards peace and stability under the ‘Strengthened Strategic Partnership’ between the two countries,” the PCO added.