Duterte welcomes Japan foreign minister Kono in Davao City

President Rodrigo Duterte received Japanese foreign minister Taro Kono in a courtesy call last Saturday in Davao City.

An article on RTVM (Malacañang media) said President Duterte was honored by Kono's visit.

For his part, Minister Kono said Japan welcomes the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), adding that Japan would like to continue to support the development of Mindanao.

Moreover, he expressed Japan’s sympathy to victims of the twin blasts that rocked Jolo last January 27, killing over 20 people and wounding more than 100 others.

Kono is in the country for a three-day official visit upon the invitation of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.

Part of the official’s agenda is the inauguration ceremony of the Japanese Consulate General in Davao.

Kono was accompanied by Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda and Davao Consul General Yoshiaki Miwa.

Also present during the courtesy call were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, and Philippine Ambassador to Japan Jose Laurel. —LBG, GMA News