Japanese PM arrives in Philippines

DPA/Manila

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived in the Philippines yesterday for a state visit aimed at bolstering relations amid territorial disputes with China.

Abe is scheduled to hold talks with Philippine President Benigno Aquino III today.

Officials said the discussions were expected to focus on strengthening Manila and Tokyo’s co-operation in defence, trade and other regional issues, particularly in light of the territorial disputes with China.

Manila was Abe’s last stop in a three-country trip that included Malaysia and Singapore.

A women’s rights group has planned protests during Abe and Aquino’s meeting to demand compensation for Filipino women who were allegedly used as sex slaves during Japan’s occupation from 1941 to 1945.