Japan-Philippines Relations
Japan-Philippines Summit Telephone Talk
September 7, 2020
On September 7, Mr. ABE Shinzo, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit telephone talk with His Excellency Rodrigo R. Duterte, President of the Republic of the Philippines, for about 25 minutes from 5:00 p.m. The overview of the talk is as follows:
- At the outset, Prime Minister Abe explained to President Duterte that he decided to step down as Prime Minister. While touching upon President Duterte's warm hospitality of inviting him for breakfast at the President’s residence in Davao, Prime Minister Abe noted that the two countries have scored great achievements by nurturing the Strategic Partnership with President Duterte to one “closer than that between two brothers” and enhancing it further in wide-ranging areas, including Subic Bay regional development. Prime Minister Abe also expressed his wish to continue working closely with a view to enhancing a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” including the consolidation of the rule of law in the South China Sea.
- Expressing his sincere regret for Prime Minister Abe's resignation, President Duterte responded by saying that he would never forget the honour of receiving Prime Minister Abe and his wife at his private residence in Davao as the first foreign dignitary visitors. In addition, President Duterte conveyed his gratitude to Prime Minister Abe on behalf of the Filipino people for Prime Minister Abe's significant contributions to strengthening the bilateral Strategic Partnership, ranging from upholding “Proactive Contribution to Peace,” to enhancing Philippines' maritime law enforcement capabilities, to steadily executing the \1 trillion public & private financing in 5 years' time as a generous, reliable development partner. President Duterte made a specific mention to the Manila Metro project supported by the Government of Japan as the future symbol of the Japan-Philippines friendly relations.
- President Duterte also expressed his appreciation for Japan's cooperation, including assistance for COVID-19 control measures.
- Prime Minister Abe conveyed the Government of Japan's unwavering position to support “Build, Build, Build,” of the Government of the Philippines as well as to galvanize its support for Mindanao peace process as it progresses. The leaders concurred with each other to have the two countries continue to work closely.