Japan foreign minister to visit PH next week as regional challenges grow

Metro Manila, Philippines - Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi will visit the country next week as both sides seek to strengthen ties amid evolving regional and global dynamics.

Iwaya’s official visit will take place on Jan. 14-15, marking the first high-level visit from Tokyo for the year.

"This will deepen communication about the strategic environment for advancing concrete cooperation," said Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya during a Stratbase ADR forum in Makati on Friday, Jan. 10.

"We can also explore establishing additional frameworks for further cooperation as necessary," he added.

The visit follows the historic ratification of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between Manila and Tokyo last year, which aims to ramp up defense cooperation.

The Philippines has also received Japanese security assistance for the second consecutive year.

In a separate statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Iwaya and Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo will discuss political, defense, security, economic, and development cooperation, as well as other areas of mutual concern.

"The ministers will likewise exchange views on regional and international developments amidst an increasingly complex security environment," the DFA added.