Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� January, 2002

Japan - Philippines Summit Meeting Wednesday, January 9, 2002 This afternoon Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited the Republic of the Philippines, the first stop in his tour of Southeast Asia, and held a summit meeting with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. During the summit meeting the two leaders agreed to further develop the mature relations between the two nations. Moreover, Prime Minister Koizumi stated that for Japan's new vision for diplomacy between Japan and East Asia he intended to build relations in which both sides "act together and advance together" as sincere and open partners. Specifically, Prime Minister Koizumi explained the pillars of the vision: 1) the promotion of reform in both countries and the assurance of prosperity through measures such as the Initiative for Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive Economic Partnership; 2) joint efforts taken to ensure regional stability such as the fight against terrorism, efforts to reach a solution on the issue of Mindanao, measures against tuberculosis with the Philippines as a leading center for ASEAN, and cooperation within the framework of the Japan-Philippines Partnership Program; and 3) cooperation for the future such as hosting the Year of Japan-ASEAN Exchange (2003) and the Initiative for East Asia Development. The two leaders shared a common understanding on many points including the said topics.