FOR THE third time, President Rodrigo Duterte visit Japan by the end of May to participate in the 25th International Conference on the Future of Asia in Tokyo, Malacañang announced Tuesday, May 14.

In an interview with Palace reporters, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte's upcoming visit to Japan is meant to bolster ties between Manila and Tokyo.

"The invitation was personally carried here by the representative of the Prime Minister (Shinzo Abe). And according to what I heard also is that when the President accepted that, the representative of the prime minister came here to thank [him]," Panelo said.

The 25th International Conference on the Future of Asia, organized by Nikkei Daily, is scheduled for May 30 and 31.

The Chief Executive last visited Japan in October 2017 to visit Abe and congratulate the latter for winning the elections. His first visit to Japan was in October 2016.

Duterte last foreign trip was to the Second Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China in late April.

Panelo was optimistic that Duterte's visit to Japan would help further improve trade relations between the Philippines and Japan.

He also expressed hope that memoranda of understanding will be signed while the President is in Tokyo.

"'Yung trade relations natin mag-improve lalo (Our trade relations would improve," he said.

"Okay naman, 'di ba? May mga projects tayo with Japan eh. Madami tayong projects eh (Our relations with Japan is good. We have partnered with Japan to fund our projects. We have many projects that are funded by Japan)," Panelo added. (SunStar Philippines)