by Chen Shilei
BEIJING, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- As the Asia-Pacific is seeing a growing consensus that maritime disputes should be handled via direct talks among parties concerned, Japan should stop stoking tensions in the region, and truly honor its promise to make peace.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is on a three-day visit Wednesday to Japan, a visit on which Tokyo has pinned hope to keep its ties with Manila tight amid concerns that Manila could "separate" from the alliance with the United States, Tokyo's key ally in the area.
The concerns were enhanced after Duterte, a recalcitrant leader in Washington's eyes, paid a visit last week to China at a time when China-Philippines ties have nosedived to a historical low due to the South China Sea arbitration case brought by his predecessor Benigno Aquino III against China.
In fact, in the arbitration process, Japan and the United States -- both outsiders in the South China Sea disputes -- have relentlessly supported the former Philippine government.
Moreover, Japan is trying to rope other countries into speaking out on the South China Sea issue.
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