Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo expressed optimism Friday toward the conclusion of a free-trade agreement with Japan, as the Philippines has no intention of entering Japan's sensitive rice market.
On the sidelines of Japan-ASEAN summit that ended the same day, Japan and the Philippines agreed to begin government-level negotiations over a free-trade agreement, likely to begin January.
Speaking to a small group of reporters, Arroyo urged Japan to allow caregivers from the Philippines to work in Japan. Manila has a well-established reputation for its "excellent supply of caregivers," she said.