Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono has expressed desire for the Japanese government to continue its support for the development of Mindanao, Malacanang said yesterday.
Kono made the commitment upon meeting President Rodrigo Duterte in a courtesy call on Saturday at Matina Enclaves in Davao City.
“Foreign Minister Kono said Japan welcomes the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law. He also mentioned that Japan would like to continue to support the development of Mindanao,” a news release from Malacanang read.
Kono also expressed Japan’s sympathy to the victims of the twin blasts that rocked Jolo in Sulu province on January 27.
The Japanese official is in the country for a three-day official visit as part of his agenda in the inauguration ceremony of the Japanese Consulate General in Davao.
He said Japan was pleased to be able to open a new consulate general in the city of Davao.
Kono was accompanied by Japanese ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda and Davao Consul General Yoshiaki Miwa.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez and Philippine ambassador to Japan Jose Laurel were also present during the courtesy call.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said Kono’s visit was a “testament to the strengthened strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan.”
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin shakes hands with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono (right) prior to an expanded bilateral meeting in Davao, in the southern island of Mindanao, yesterday.
