MANILA: Japanese Ambassador Endo Kayuza on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil. In a news release, Kayuza expressed his appreciation for Garafil's contribution to the deepening of Japan-Philippines relations and his commitment to fulfilling his responsibilities to strengthen bilateral relations during his tenure. Garafil also expressed her desire to work with the Japanese ambassador to further promote the already prosperous Japan-Philippines relations. Kayuza also visited the 97-meter patrol vessel "Melchora Aquino' of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). He was briefed by PCG Commandant Ronnie Gil Gavan on coast guard operations in the waters surrounding the Philippines. Kayuza expressed his appreciation that the Japan-supplied patrol vessels are contributing to coast guard operations within the Philippine waters and conveyed his aspiration to further strengthen and promote the cooperative relationship between Japan and the Philippi nes in the future. The PCG patrol vessel Melchora Aquino was supplied in 2022 under Maritime Safety Capacity Improvement Project (Phase 2) and is utilized by the Philippine Coast Guard for search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and other operations. Source: Philippines News Agency