Japan seeks to win back Duterte.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will begin a visit to Japan next week. Reports indicate that Tokyo is not taking this visit lightly, given what has happened in China.

President Duterte at a press conference in China on October 19 - Photo: Reuters

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has arranged private meetings with the Philippine president on the sidelines of Duterte's official visit to Tokyo next week to persuade the "rebellious" leader to continue cooperating with U.S.-led efforts to curb China's ambitions in the South China Sea, Reuters sources said.

Abe's move is believed to be a reaction to Duterte's declaration of "separation" from the country's long-time ally, the United States, during his visit to China on October 20.

Abe now faces an extremely sensitive additional responsibility: to both advance shared security goals between the US and Japan, while simultaneously avoiding further strengthening Duterte's ties with Beijing.

"Japan wants to explain its position in the region, including its stance on the South China Sea," a Reuters source, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed. "Abe wants to establish a connection with Duterte."

Abe is expected to hold a private conversation with Duterte at his residence in Tokyo on the evening of October 26, following an official meeting with senior officials from both countries, according to the source.

According to another Reuters source, Abe rarely holds private meetings with heads of state after official meetings.

President Duterte will also have dinner with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida on the evening of October 25th.

"It appears Japan is currently determined to develop a relationship with Duterte and will avoid sensitive topics to prevent being abandoned by him (as he abandoned the US)," a Reuters source said.

A Tokyo government official said the country wants to reaffirm to Duterte the importance of the rule of law and freedom of navigation at sea, although it is unlikely that Abe will address the Philippine president's remarks about the White House or discuss the international arbitration ruling during their meeting.

A Philippine government spokesperson affirmed ahead of President Duterte's visit to Japan that he "takes great importance on the dynamic and energetic relationship" between the Philippines and Japan.

Meanwhile, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Tokyo is considering the potential impact on Japan based on developments between China, the Philippines, and the United States, but he declined to comment further.

"Regarding the issue in the South China Sea, we are working to achieve a diplomatic solution through cooperation among all relevant parties," Suga stated at his regular press briefing today, October 21.

In June, Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani pledged to strengthen his country's security role in Southeast Asia by helping countries in the region, including the Philippines and Vietnam, build their defense capabilities to counter "unilateral, dangerous, and coercive actions" in the South China Sea.

According to Reuters, Prime Minister Abe's meeting with President Duterte on October 26 will also include signing an agreement to provide the Philippines with two additional patrol vessels to increase Japan's presence in the South China Sea.

President Duterte and his delegation are expected to meet with leaders of major Japanese companies and corporations such as Toyota and Mitsubishi to explore investment opportunities in the Philippines.

President Duterte will conclude his visit to Japan on October 27th with a telephone conversation with Emperor Akihito.

According to Tuoi Tre newspaper