Live
Audio Only
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte arrives in Japan to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.
The Philippine leader arrived at approximately 3 a.m. at the Haneda International Airport, to begin his two-day visit. He was received by Japan State Minister for Foreign Affairs Kazuyuki Nakane, new Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda, and Philippine Ambassador to Japan Jose Laurel V.
Duterte said, in a pre-departure press conference, that he would thank Abe for Japan's continued assistance to the Philippines. The Filipino leader praised Japan as a "true friend" of the Phillippines for their "timely assistance in addressing the threat of terrorism and violent extremism."
In addition to economic and security concerns, the two countries are expected to discuss peace and stability in the region. Both heads of government will issue a joint statement from the Japanese Prime Minister's Tokyo office.
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kano said he expects to establish cooperation between the Philippines and Japan in areas such as infrastructure development, the Mindanao peace process, the anti-illegal drugs campaign and security and counter-terrorism measures.
While Phillippine's Agriculture Secretary, Emmanuel Pinol, highlighted that one of the main issues to be discussed during the visit is the request for a zero tariff on exported fruits.
“Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez advised me to provide him all the documents related to previous negotiations with the Japanese government for the granting of zero tariffs on Philippine fruits, especially bananas,” Pinol said.
“During the first Presidential visit to Japan, I discussed with the Japanese Agriculture Minister the issue of tariff on Philippine fruits, especially bananas. The negotiations, however, have been very slow,” the agriculture chief said.
Currently, Japan applies a 2.5 percent tariff on bananas from the Philippines during the offseason and 18 percent during the fruiting season to protect local fruit farmers.
Philippine bananas were once dominant on the market, with exported supply as high as 90 percent.
But, in recent years, bananas from Ecuador have penetrated the Japanese market. The influx of Ecuadorean bananas, aided by lower transport cost, left the Philippines with only 75 percent of the market.
“Ecuador, a major banana producing country, has been given zero tariffs for its bananas exported to Japan, allowing it to eat into the market share of the Philippines,” Pinol said.
“While Japanese consumers prefer Philippine bananas, trading companies are starting to shift to Ecuadorian bananas because of economic considerations,” he added.
Pinol is hopeful that negotiations will quicken to ensure that the long-time trade partners strengthen their economic ties.
Duterte is scheduled to meet with other high-ranking Japanese officials, including JICA President Shinichi Kitaoka and special advisor to the Prime Minister and a member of the House of Representatives, Katsuyuki Kawai.
He is scheduled to visit the Emperor and Empress of Japan on Tuesday.
The Philippines' Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez will accompany Duterte.
The trip comes ahead of the APEC Summit in Vietnam as well as the 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila.
Newsletter
