Japan’s Prime Minister has announced a trillion-yen aid package for the Philippines

Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has announced a trillion-yen aid package for the Philippines, spread over 5 years, to help with the country’s infrastructure projects. Abe announced the package, worth about 8.7 billion dollars, at a meeting with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in the country’s capital Manila on Thursday. The money comprises official development assistance and private-sector investments. The 2 countries are to set up a joint committee to ensure that it is spent efficiently. Abe was on the first leg of a 6-day tour of Southeast Asian nations and Australia aimed at reaffirming close ties with the countries before the start of the administration of the next US president, Donald Trump. In support of Duterte’s anti-drug policy, Abe offered to share Japan’s experience in operating rehabilitation facilities for recovering addicts. Abe and Duterte reaffirmed the importance of the rule of law and peaceful settlement of any disputes on the...