Amid the resignation of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, the Philippines expressed confidence that its relations with Japan "will continue to deepen," a foreign affairs official said Monday.

Ishiba, who visited the Philippines last April, announced his resignation as president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LPD) on Sunday.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Angelica Escalona refused comment on the internal affairs of Japan but she noted that the agency is confident that Philippine - Japan relations "will continue to deepen in the years to come."

"We don’t comment on Japan’s internal affairs. We are confident that our relations with Japan, especially our ‘Strengthened Strategic Partnership', will continue to deepen in the years to come," she said.

Ishiba will remain as prime minister until the party holds an election for his replacement as president of the LDP. Robina Asido/DMS