Abe and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte also witnessed the signing of a 600mn yen ($5.26mn) grant for high-speed boats and other counterterrorism equipment for the Philippine coastguard.
“We will strengthen co-operation in the area of counterterrorism in order to realise a society in which it is possible for youths to entertain hopes,” Abe said after meeting with Duterte at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila.
He announced a 1tn yen package of official development assistance and private investments for the Philippines over the next five years to boost development in the Southeast Asian country.
“We confirmed that both countries, which share common values and strategic interests, will co-operate hand-in-hand for the stability and prosperity of the region,” Abe said. “Both countries being maritime nations, Japan will enhance support for capacity building in the field of maritime security,” he added.
The premier is the first foreign leader to visit the Philippines under the administration of Duterte, who has lashed out at the US and other Western states for criticising his deadly drug war.
Abe was scheduled to travel later to the southern city of Davao, where Duterte served as mayor for more than 20 years.
Abe was expected to meet with businessmen, visit the Philippine president’s house, and possibly have breakfast there. Observers noted the visit to Davao was a sign that Abe wants to develop a personal relationship. Tokyo wants to stop the Philippines from moving closer to China amid soured ties between Manila and Washington.
“It’s very significant that the prime minister is visiting the house of President Duterte,” said Victoria Quimbo, a professor at the Asian Institute at the University of the Philippines. “The Japanese are here to show their support at a time when there is a uncertainty in the political, economic and security situations around the globe,” she added.
Abe said he chose the Philippines as the first destination of his overseas trips this year as a “demonstration of the fact that I place much emphasis on my relationship with President Duterte and with the Philippines.”
But he also welcomed Duterte’s efforts to mend strained ties with China after an international court ruling in July which found that China had no legal right to claim a large swathe of the area, in a case filed by the Philippines.
“The issue of the South China Sea is linked directly to regional peace and stability and is a concern to the entire international community,” Abe said. “I welcome the fact that (President) Duterte is making efforts to improve Sino-Philippine relations in light of the arbitral award.”
In October, Japan rolled out the red carpet for Duterte, his first visit to the country since taking office in June. That visit followed a Duterte trip to China.
Tomorrow, Abe will hold talks with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull before travelling to Indonesia and Vietnam.
“I would like to have frank discussions with the countries’ leaders as to how we can contribute to the (Asia-Pacific) region’s peace and stability,” Abe told reporters before leaving Tokyo.
The premier hopes to share with the four countries his concerns about China, Japanese government officials said.