Japan pitches multilateral talks in West Philippine Sea row

From InterAksyon (Jun 3): Japan pitches multilateral talks in West Philippine Sea row

Katsuyuki Kawai, a top aide and special adviser of Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, on Friday paid a courtesy call on President-elect Rodrigo Duterte in Davao City, where he had the opportunity to articulate Japan's inclination toward multilateral negotiations as the preferred means, over bilateral talks, to address the territorial tensions with China in the West Philippine Sea, also known as South China Sea.

Mr. Kawai told journalists in Manila, after his 30-minute one-on-one meeting with Duterte, that he conveyed Prime Minister Abe's congratulations and felicitations, as well as Japan's eagerness to deepen its ties with the Philippines as well as the broader Indo-Pacific region.

On the issue of South China Sea/ West Philippine Sea dispute, Japan reiterated its support to the Philippines' bringing the maritime row before the United Nations arbitral tribunal for a decision based on the rule of law.

In the recent G7 Summit in Isishima, Japan, the G7 leaders' declaration affirmed the essentiality of settling the tension in a peaceful manner through the legal arena.

During the meeting with Duterte, said Mr. Kawai, both sides reached a three-point consensus:

Reaction to the ruling of the Arbitral Tribunal is very important

Maintain Freedom of Navigation

Japan-Philippines security cooperation
Kawai expressed the desirability of going multilateral in trying to resolve any impasse, because "it will be very important and very beneficial for all the countries that are involved in that issue."

Before facing the media, Mr. Kawai had a brief meeting, as well, with the Secretary of Foreign Affairs-designate Perfecto Yasay, but he declined to elaborate on the details of the meeting.

For his part, Yasay said that the incoming Duterte administration will be quite flexible and willing to go "both" multilateral and bilateral in order to ease the tension in the region: "Negotiations is the way to go. There is no reason for anyone to think or suggest, or fear, that, if we go multilateral or bilateral, there will be certain negative repercussions. Besides, the arbitral court has no absolute enforcement capability, so, whether or not it will be in favor of the Philippines, we will be depending on our friends and allies for support as far as helping us persuade China to come to the negotiating table."

When asked if Japan was wary about the stance of Duterte regarding his intention to have direct talks with China, Mr. Kawai politely gave a "no comment" reply.

He said Japan is looking forward to the day when Prime Minister Abe and Duterte can formally meet, as both leaders will have "good chemistry. Mr. Duterte is a very frank and sincere, very decisive new leader, similarly to our Prime Minister. If they meet in the future, they will be very good friends."
http://interaksyon.com/article/128622/japan-pitches-multilateral-talks-in-west-philippine-sea-row