MANILA – Japan is extending visa exemption “mainly for Philippine government officials” as Tokyo and Manila search to strengthen people-to-people exchanges.
The announcement was made by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida throughout his summit assembly with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Feb. 9, in accordance with a press readout by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Prime Minister Kishida announced visa exemption mainly for Philippine government officials. President Marcos welcomed Japan’s announcement and expressed his hope to build upon this momentum to further facilitate people-to-people exchanges between the two countries,” the readout mentioned.
The Japanese aspect has but to supply particulars on the brand new coverage.
The two nations sought to bolster bilateral relations throughout Marcos’ ongoing official go to to Japan, securing a flurry of agreements that span from protection and safety, agriculture, financial system, and growth cooperation, amongst others.
This is Marcos’ maiden go to to Japan as President.
In different areas of cooperation, Kishida additionally cited how the Japanese and Philippine authorities partnered amid the “widespread robbery and fraud cases in Japan”, an obvious reference to the Luffy case.
Before Marcos, Kishida requested the Philippines for “continued collaboration between authorities”.
The 4 suspects within the violent robberies in Japan, one in all which resulted within the dying of a 90-year-old girl, have been deported this week.
Yuki Watanabe, the suspected mastermind who goes by the alias “Luffy,” had allegedly directed the break-ins in Japan utilizing an encrypted messaging software whereas detained at a Manila immigration facility.
The swift deportation got here lower than two weeks after the Japanese Embassy in Manila made the request on Jan. 30. (PNA)