Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s assistant Katsuyuki Kawai announced on Dec. 9 that he will visit the Philippines on Dec. 12 to meet with President Rodrigo Duterte in accordance with Abe’s instructions. He will discuss strengthening bilateral security cooperation, as agreed at the Japan-Philippine summit in October, and seek Duterte’s understanding for the importance of Japan-U.S.-Philippine cooperation and the Japan-U.S. alliance in light of China’s efforts to build a military stronghold in the South China Sea. Abe is considering visiting the Philippines, Australian, and Vietnam in January.