The leaders of Japan and the Philippines agreed Thursday to boost trade and investment between their countries to upgrade their economic partnership, as Japan announced a $470 million development loan.
Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso and Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo also shared concerns about North Korea's nuclear and missile development, a Japanese Foreign Ministry official said.
Aso and Arroyo agreed to bring more Japanese investment to the Philippines and promote infrastructure projects and exchange programs, the official said on condition of anonymity, citing ministry policy.
The two leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral business ties under an economic partnership agreement that took effect in December and to foster "strategic" relations on broader issues ranging from regional security to climate change.
The idea is to help the Philippines play a larger role as a contributor to the international community rather than a recipient, the official said.
Japan's Foreign Ministry announced earlier Thursday a loan of up to nearly 45 billion yen ($470 million) to support economic and social development projects in the Philippines.
The 2008 economic partnership agreement is designed to remove tariffs on goods and services between the two countries and allow about 300 Filipino health care staff to work in Japan to make up for staff shortages in the world's fastest-aging country.
Aso and Arroyo also urged North Korea to comply with sanctions imposed by the United Nations over its May 25 nuclear blast, the Japanese official said.
The United Nations last week issued a resolution to punish the North over the nuclear test by expanding an arms embargo and authorizing ship searches on the high seas.
North Korea says its nuclear weapons program is a deterrent against the United States and accuses Washington of plotting with Seoul to topple its regime, led by Kim Jong Il who is reportedly preparing to hand over power to his 26-year-old youngest son, Jong Un.
