Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri, and Sankei wrote that Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga announced at a news conference on Wednesday that Philippine President Duterte will visit Japan on Oct. 29-31 for talks with Prime Minister Abe. This will be the second visit to Japan by President Duterte and the fourth meeting between the Japanese and Philippine leaders. Suga told the press that Japan hopes that the visit by President Duterte will provide the two nations with a significant opportunity to discuss how they will respond to key issues.

In a related development, Nikkei and Sankei wrote that the Ministry of Defense announced on Wednesday that the MSDF will turn its two TC-90 aircraft, which are currently on loan to the Philippines, over to the nation in March 2018. The papers wrote that the arrangement is aimed at helping the Philippines enhance its coast guard capabilities and sending a warning to China over its construction of military bases in the South China Sea.