Davao, Philippines: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is on his way to Australia Friday after a two-day visit to the Philippines during which he pledged $8.7 billion worth of business opportunities and private investments along with speedboats and other counterterrorism equipment.
He left for Sydney from southern Davao city, President Rodrigo Duterte's hometown. The two leaders shared breakfast of mung soup and rice cakes in Duterte's home, in an apparent bid to strengthen personal ties.
On Thursday, following talks with Duterte in Manila, Abe welcomed the Philippine leader's efforts to improve ties with Beijing following the Philippines' victory in an arbitration ruling declaring China's claims to the South China Sea invalid.
China has refused to recognize the decision, saying The Hague-based tribunal has no jurisdiction in the case, and has warned the United States and other countries not directly involved in the territorial disputes to stay away.
Abe, however, said "the issue of the South China Sea is linked directly to regional peace and stability and is a concern to the entire international community."
Japan has its own territorial dispute with China over East China Sea islands controlled by Tokyo but claimed by Beijing.
On Friday in Davao, Abe and Duterte posed for pictures with businesspeople in a hotel and attended a ceremony to name an endangered Philippine eagle Sakura, or cherry blossom, in Abe's honor.
The eagle was not present — it was in a sanctuary after its rescue last month with a pellet wound — but Abe was given a Philippine eagle stuffed toy and a framed picture of Sakura.
The two leaders and their wives also ate durian fruit at the hotel's garden as dancers performed to the beat of brass gongs, before sitting down for lunch.
After Australia, Abe will visit Vietnam and Indonesia.