TOKYO, Japan, June 2 (PNA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived at the Haneda International Airport here at about 3:19 p.m. Tuesday for a four-day state visit.
The President was welcomed by Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel Lopez, Japanese Parliamentary Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Takashi Uto, Ministry of Foreign Affairs chief protocol Jun Yamazaki, and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa.
Immediately after his arrival, the President met with several Japanese business leaders at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo.
Among those who met with the President were Senji Miyake, chairman of the board of Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd; Teruo Asada, chairman of Marubeni; Tadashi Yanai, chairman of the Fast Retailing Co. Ltd. (Uniqlo); and officials of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).
The President also witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Business Promotion Cooperation between the Department of Trade and Industry and JETRO.
After his meeting with the Japanese businessmen, the President joined the Filipino community at the Okura Hotel.
Among those who accompanied the President were Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Lilia de Lima, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Transportation and Communications Secretary Jose Emilio Abaya, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., and chief of the Presidential Management Staff Julia Abad. (PNA)