Davao City — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte received Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono in a courtesy call on Saturday, February 9.
During their meeting at Matina Enclaves here, President Duterte said he is honored that the Minister of Foreign Affairs is in his city.
Foreign Minister Kono, for his part, said Japan welcomes the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law. He also mentioned that Japan would like to continue to support the development of Mindanao.
Moreover, he expressed Japan’s sympathy to the victims of the twin blasts that rocked Jolo last month.
Foreign Minister Kono is in the country for a three-day official visit upon the invitation of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. Part of the official’s agenda is the inauguration ceremony of the Japanese Consulate General in Davao.
He said Japan is pleased to be able to open up a new consulate general in the City of Davao.
Foreign Minister Kono was accompanied by Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda and Davao Consul General Yoshiaki Miwa.
Also present during the courtesy call were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, and Philippine Ambassador to Japan Jose Laurel.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said that the visit of Foreign Minister Kono is a “testament to the strengthened strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan, and an affirmation of our long-standing bilateral friendship.”
