Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida is on a three day visit to the Philippines until Friday. Kishida is today set to meet Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte and Foreign Minister Perfecto Yasay in the southern city of Davao.
Japan's Kyodo news agency reports the aim of the visit is to sound out the Duterte government's attitude on the South China Sea issue. Meanwhile, reports say talks will also cover the situation in East China Sea, including Japan providing patrol vessels to Manila.
The visit comes after Japan lodged multiple protests against Chinese Coast Guard ships patrolling near the Diaoyu Islands. China reiterated the islands have been an inherent parts of its territory and it's China's right to patrol in the waters.
