President Rodrigo Duterte arrived back in the Philippines on Thursday night to describe a three-day state visit to Japan as “another defining moment” in relations between the two countries.
In a televised speech from the southern city of Davao, Duterte said that meetings had been "productive" and specific gains were made in economics affairs and sociopolitical, security and defense cooperation.
He highlighted “freedom of navigation and overflight” as a key point of agreement -- key issues also covered with Chinese President Xi Jianping during last week's state visit to China.
Both the Philippines and Japan have longstanding disputes with China about areas of the South China Sea, which the Philippines refers to as the West Philippine Sea.
“It was clear to me that Japan is and will always remain a true friend of the Philippines," Duterte said, adding that it would remain a top trading partner.
"By all accounts and by any measures Philippines and Japan ties today are excellent and we agreed that we can take things to a higher level by harnessing our respective strengths and using these so both countries can have their economic strength further grown and then [Philippines] Congress can continue play their rightful role in the region," the president said.