Philippines, Japan to hold talks on maritime co-op

MANILA - Philippine and Japanese officials will meet in Manila Friday to discuss maritime cooperation and security, the Philippine foreign affairs department said Thursday.

The Philippine delegation will be headed by Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Gilberto G.B. Asuque, while the Japanese delegation well be headed by Kenji Kanasugi, deputy director general at Japan's foreign affairs ministry.

During the meeting, the two countries will discuss various areas of cooperation particularly in maritime safety, maritime security, anti-piracy measures, fisheries and marine scientific research.

Philippine and Japanese officials from the defense, foreign affairs and maritime departments will attend the dialogue.

This is the second time that the two countries is holding bilateral talks on maritime issues. The first dialogue on maritime cooperation between the Philippines and Japan was held in Tokyo in September 2011.