By Robina Asido

The agriculture ministers of Philippines and Japan discussed possible expansion of fruit exports from both countries including Japanese grapes and Philippine pomelos.

Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Agriculture Secretary Tiu Laurel Jr. conducted a bilateral meeting during the sidelines of Preparatory Senior Officials Meetings of the 25th ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry Plus Three and the Second ASEAN-Japan Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry held as part of the 47th AMAF in Pasay City on Thursday.

In a press conference, Laurel said during their meeting Koizumi expressed Japan's intention to export Japanese grapes while the Philippines also requested to export its pomelos.

"While Japan wanted to increase bilateral trade by opening up market access of Japan to the Philippines for the Japanese grapes in the Philippines also requested for export of Philippine bomelo to Japan and both parties agreed to work on this as soon as possible so that we can increase," he said.

In his X (formerly Twitter) account, Koizumi noted that he and Laurel "had a fruitful exchange of views on issues related to agriculture between Japan and the Philippines, including expanding exports of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products from Japan."

"I also thank him for his announcement that he will participate in the Green Expo to be held in Yokohama in 2027," he added.

During the bilateral meeting, Koizumi was accompanied by Japan Embassy officials headed by Ambassador Endo Kazuya.

Koizumi is among those seeking the presidency of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The new president will be announced on Saturday to replace party head and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

After Saturday's election, the party will be seeking the Diet to convene an extraordinary session to elect the new Japan prime minister. DMS