Duterte back from two-day working visit to Japan

President Rodrigo Duterte arrived in Davao City on Tuesday night after a two-day working visit to Japan.

In his arrival speech, Duterte described his visit to Tokyo as "most productive and engaging."

"I met my good friend, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and discussed with him concrete time-bound and specific ways to further intensify bilateral cooperation," he said.

While Abe had vowed to "give flesh" to Japan's special assistance program, Duterte said he committed to work closely with him to ensure that projects proceed soonest.

He said the Philippines and Japan also agreed to intensify defense cooperation to combat terrorism, violent extremism and transnational crimes.

"We will strive to make our waters free and open to our peoples so that we can enjoy its natural maritime resources," Duterte said. 

The official visit was Duterte's second trip to Japan. He was supposed to visit in June, but the attack on Marawi City by the pro-ISIS Maute group prevented him from pushing through with the trip.

Duterte said Japan will be the country's partner in rebuilding Marawi "as the center of moderation and tolerance."

While in Japan, Duterte also met with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of the Japanese Imperial Family in Tokyo. —KBK, GMA News