Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte sought to assure Japan on Wednesday that his landmark visit to China was completely driven by economics and also vowed to stand by Tokyo over the South China Sea dispute.  

"You know I went to China for a visit. And I would like to assure you that all there was, was economics. We did not talk about arms. We avoided talking about alliances," Duterte told the Japanese business community.

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The assurance is expected to calm down Japan, which traditionally has aligned with Manila to counter China's domination in the region.

Duterte made more overtures by describing Tokyo as a "special friend who is closer than a brother" in a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The Philippines leader also said that Manila would closely cooperate with Tokyo on regional issues affecting both countries and will uphold the value of democracy.

Speaking on the sensitive issue of territorial disputes, Duterte said that he supports the rule of law and peaceful settlement of disputes including the South China Sea.

Japanese Prime Minister ABE was equally forthcoming in cementing his country's ties with the Philippines.

Abe welcomed Duterte's visit to China and his efforts to improve ties between the two countries.

The Philippine leader's visit to Japan comes at a critical time when ties between Manila and the U.S. have hit a new low, with the former trying to overhaul it's foreign policy and opening a new chapter in the country's bilateral relationship with China.

Duterte made no bones about his intention to change his country's traditional foreign policy when he announced his intention to break ties with the U.S. during his visit to China last week.

However, experts say Japan may not have been happy with Duterte's public tirade against the U.S. Japan and the U.S. have been traditional supporters of the Philippines in countering China's so called aggression in the South China Sea.    

TagsRodrigo Duterte, Philippines, Philippines and Japan, Rodrigo Duterte's Visit to Japan