Japan PM offers Philippines drug war support

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe offered support for Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's controversial drug war on Thursday as the pair met in Manila for talks that also focused on territorial rows with China. Abe's two-day visit to the Philippines is the first by a foreign leader since Duterte took office last year, highlighting Japan's importance as the Southeast Asian nation's top trading partner and foreign aid donor. Abe is also intent on maintaining Japan's strong ties with the Philippines as Duterte shakes up his nation's foreign policy with a shift away from the United States, both nations' longtime ally, in favour of China and Russia.