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| Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi (left) and his Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo during talks on January 15 in Manila. (Source: Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs) |
On January 14-15, Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi visited the Philippines and met with officials of the host country, including his counterpart Enrique Manalo.
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The two ministers discussed the security situation in the East and South China Seas, as well as their joint work amid the changing geopolitical landscape, adding that both Tokyo and Manila remain committed to pursuing a rules-based regional order.
On January 15, at a joint press conference between the two foreign ministers, Mr. Iwaya expressed “great concern about the repeated actions in the East Sea that increase tensions and strongly opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo.”
Foreign Minister Iwaya stressed: "Japan strongly opposes any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force or create tension in the region. We strongly request the reduction of tension."
Mr. Iwaya also said that Tokyo will continue to provide Manila with development aid and maritime security support, and affirmed that the trilateral mechanism including the US will be strengthened when the administration of President-elect Donald Trump takes office in Washington.
For his part, Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said Manila's relationship with Tokyo is one of the most stable and dynamic in the region.
Iwaya's visit followed a videoconference between Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and outgoing US President Joe Biden, in which the three leaders affirmed their "trilateral agreement" to strengthen economic, security and technological cooperation amid rising tensions in the region.
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