Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is planning to discuss the South China Sea dispute with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Duterte said on Saturday that he would raise the issue of Philippines' long-standing territorial dispute with China during his upcoming bilateral meeting with Japanese premier.

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"My talks with the Japanese government, particular with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, would really be mostly on economic cooperation and shared interests," the Philippine President told reporters in Davao City, the southern part of the country. "The most important thing there is the shared interests. The shared interest is really about the South China Sea."

The Filipino leader will soon make his first state visit to Japan since becoming the highest leader of the Philippines in June.

Apart from the Japanese PM, Duterte is also scheduled to meet Emperor Akihito during his three-day trip starting on Oct. 25.

Japanese government sources also confirmed that the issue of territorial dispute between the Philippines and China would be a central focus for bilateral talks between Duterte and Abe.

"Japan wants to explain its regional stance, including its thinking regarding the South China Sea," sources said. "Abe wants to make a connection with Duterte."

In July, an international tribunal had rejected China's ownership claims over the contested waters.

Beijing, which had rejected the ruling and even called it "null and void," accused Japan of inciting regional conflict.

Japan recently announced that it will provide the Philippines two patrol boats to help it secure its maritime boundaries in South China Sea amid China's growing military presence in the region.  

TagsSouth China Sea, South China Sea Dispute, Philippines, Japan, china, Duterte