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[Provisional Translation]

On January 12 (local time), Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Manila in the Republic of the Philippines after holding an impromptu press conference at Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport).

The Prime Minister said at the impromptu press conference,

“This year, Japan’s strategic diplomacy that takes a panoramic perspective of the world map will start from the Philippines, Viet Nam, Indonesia, and Australia.

Already I have held a series of meetings with the leaders of each country. During this visit I look forward to holding more candid and frank discussions with the leaders.

I hope to exchange views regarding bilateral issues as well as our views on the regional situation. I also hope to discuss candidly on what the leaders and I can do by joining hands, along with how we should contribute to regional peace and stability.”

After arriving in Manila, Philippines, the Prime Minister attended a welcome ceremony. Afterwards, the Prime Minister held a summit meeting with H.E. Mr. Rodrigo R. Duterte, President of the Philippines, which was followed by a signing ceremony and a joint press announcement.
Subsequently, the Prime Minister attended an expanded meeting with companies and a commemorative photo session. The Prime Minister then attended a welcome banquet hosted by the Philippines.

The Prime Minister said the following in his address at the banquet,

"I thank you for the grand welcome you have given me and for this magnificent banquet you have prepared. I very much appreciate the most cordial hospitality you have shown me.

This was the third summit meeting that President Duterte and I have held since he took office. I am truly delighted that our relationship grows closer each time we meet. Japan-Philippines relations are like the deep and warm relationship shared between family members or brothers. When he was Mayor of Davao, President Duterte used his personal funds to erect a monument honoring the friendly relationship between Japan and the Philippines. This monument of tranquility is inscribed with President Duterte’s message, “Every human being is my brother, my sister, my child.” I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to President Duterte for welcoming Japanese like members of the family.

When President Duterte visited Japan this past October, he and I and a small group of others held talks that went far beyond the scheduled time. The fact that we were so fired up in our discussions despite no alcohol being served was entirely due to President Duterte so keenly relishing the Japanese cuisine I had prepared for us.

I am accompanied during this visit by 24 top-level executives of Japan’s leading companies. Every one of them is a great fan of the Philippines. I have high expectations for an expansion of our bilateral relations, not only in terms of our economies but also culturally and in people-to-people exchanges, through the visit by this business delegation.

Tomorrow, most of the delegation will accompany me to President Duterte’s hometown of Davao, and we are all looking forward to it greatly.

I now wish to offer a toast to the good health and happiness of President Duterte and all the distinguished guests here tonight, and to a further deepening of the bonds of friendship and cooperation linking the people of Japan and the Philippines."