Japan to Extend 20-B.-Yen Loans to Philippines

Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Nov. 12 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Wednesday his country will provide the Philippines with some 20 billion yen in soft loans to help the Southeast Asian country improve measures against natural disasters. Abe unveiled the plan in a meeting with Philippine President Benigno Aquino in Naypyitaw, the capital of Myanmar. The loans will be partly used for a program to install flood-prevention levees. The two leaders agreed to boost cooperation in the fight against such natural disasters as typhoons and volcanic eruptions. Referring to tensions between the Philippines and China over the South China Sea, Abe said respecting the rule of law is important, reiterating that Japan will not tolerate any attempts to change the status quo by force. Abe told Aquino that Japan is trying to improve its relationship with China, referring to his first meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping that was held in Beijing on Monday. END