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[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hosted a summit meeting and other events with H.E. Mr. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, President of the Republic of the Philippines, at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The two leaders attended a salute and ceremony by the guard of honor followed by a summit meeting. After that, they attended a signing ceremony and an exchange of documents, and held a joint press announcement.

Lastly, the Prime Minister hosted a dinner banquet and said the following in his address,

“I would like to once again offer my heartfelt welcome to President Duterte upon his visit to Japan.

First, I would like to apologize for keeping all of you invited here today waiting for 30 minutes. My discussion with President Duterte lasted longer than anticipated, and I hope that you will all understand that it was because we were having such a lively discussion. President Duterte and I had a truly significant conversation, although I cannot discuss the content at present. .

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Philippines. During this wonderful commemorative year, in January Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan visited the Philippines. And now, President Duterte, who is very friendly toward Japan, is visiting Japan shortly after his inauguration. I warmly welcome him. The deep, close relationship between Japan and the Philippines is like that of a family or siblings. With President Duterte, I would like to develop a broad flourishing future for both our countries.

I have heard that President Duterte has a strong liking for Japanese food. Our hospitality this evening features Japanese cuisine. If the President likes it, I hope that he will come back to Japan many times to enjoy Japanese cooking.

President Duterte served for many years as the Mayor of Davao City and, in that capacity, he has attended the receptions hosted by Japan’s consular office to celebrate the Emperor’s birthday several times. Japan also greatly values Mindanao, and has been supporting it for many years. We have invited a number of people with a link to Mindanao to the banquet this evening.

José Rizal, hero of the people of the Philippines, traveled in his youth to many parts of Japan, and left writings stating his view that in the future the two countries would have a wide range of exchanges and relations. That is now truly the case; the relationship between Japan and the Philippines has greatly developed in a wide range of fields, including politics, the economy, culture, and personal exchanges.

We have invited to this evening’s banquet leaders from many different places, all of whom are supporting the invaluable friendship between our two countries in a variety of different fields. It is thanks to all of your contributions that Japan and the Philippines have such a wonderful friendship right now. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to you all, and to say that I would be grateful for your continuing support to further strengthen our bilateral relationship.

I would now like to raise a toast to the health and happiness of President Duterte and everyone here, and to the further development of friendship and cooperation between the peoples of Japan and the Philippines. Mabuhay!”