Romulo has written Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, committee chairperson, seeking an early diplomatic exchange of notes between Manila and Tokyo before the Senate continues its deliberations on the economic pact.

"May I have the honor to request the Committee on Foreign Relations to defer consideration of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) in order to allow the Department to explore appropriate exchange of notes between the government of Japan and the Philippines relating to the same," Romulo said yesterday in his letter to Santiago.

His request was made during the visit of Tsutomu Sato, Japan’s Senior Vice Minister for Internal Affairs and Communication, who is promoting the Japanese Digital TV Standard "ISDB-T" (Integrated Service Digital Broadcasting for Terrestrial) in the country.