Japan’s leading paper The Yomiuri Shimbun said Tokyo’s confusion was fueled by concerns that “it may have to review its joint strategy with the United States of backing the Philippines in a South China Sea territorial dispute.”
In addition, Atsushi Ueno, deputy chief of mission of the Japanese Embassy, said Prime Minister Shinzo Abe would like to hear Duterte’s explanation of the Philippines’ realigned foreign policy, following the President’s declaration of “separation” from the US during his state to visit to China.
Meanwhile, Malacañang on Monday said the South China Sea (also West Philippine’s) dispute would take a backseat during the President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to Japan this week that is meant to boost a 60-year-old relationship.
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