• From Presidential Spokesperson Ernie Abella – On the President’s rescheduled visit to Japan

The Palace wishes to announce that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will not proceed with his scheduled visit to Japan next month to address the 23rd Nikkei International Conference on the Future of Asia.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) informed its Japanese counterpart and conference organizers that the President arrived at this decision due to recent developments in Marawi and Mindanao, requiring the Chief Executive’s undivided time and attention.

We thank the Japanese government and organizers for their consideration, and both sides mutually agreed that a visit to Japan could be rescheduled in the future. The lines of communication between the DFA and its Japanese counterpart remain open and active in this regard.

The Philippines highly values its close friendship and deep bilateral relations with Japan. President Duture hopes to meet Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for whom he has fond admiration and respect especially when the Japanese leader visited him in his hometown in Davao.