PH reviews economic ties with Japan in Del Rosario visit

Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and Japan took steps to enhance economic and bilateral relations during Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario’s official working visit to Japan, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday.

Del Rosario went to Japan from June 27 to 29 for his official visit.

In a statement, the DFA said Del Rosario and Japan’s Deputy Prime Minister Katsuya Okada reviewed economic and regional concerns in both countries, and discussed the advancement of the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership.

“Both officials conferred measures to more effectively realize the objectives of the PJEPA’s provisions on the Movement of Natural Persons, particularly Japan’s acceptance of Filipino nurses and careworkers,” the statement said.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Akihiko Tanaka also called on Del Rosario in Tokyo, and held talks reviewing the progress of major ongoing JICA-assisted projects in the Philippines, including grassroots development projects in Mindanao.

Japan’s Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba also hosted a bilateral meeting and official dinner for del Rosario, during which the two ministers held talks on enhancement of the countries’ political dialogue, official development assistance, and maritime security and disaster risk reduction.

Del Rosario also held meetings with major Japanese business organizations, led by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), the Japan-Philippines Economic Cooperation Committee (JPECC), and the International Friendship Exchange Council (FEC).