Marcos leaves for Japan for 5-day working visit

President Bongbong Marcos and First Lady Liza Marcos boards PR001 bound for Tokyo, Japan.

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. departed for Tokyo, Japan on Wednesday for a five-day working visit there.

In his departure speech, Marcos said his visit to Japan is “essential” as it is a part of the Philippines’ “larger foreign policy agenda.”

“My bilateral visit to Japan is essential and is part of a larger foreign policy agenda to forge closer political ties, stronger defense, and security cooperation, as well as lasting economic partnerships with major countries in the region amid a challenging global environment,” he said.

During his visit, Marcos said he will seek to further strengthen Philippine-Japan ties as he hopes to “harness the positive trajectory” of the friendship in all engagements.

“I will be actively cultivating collaborations in priority areas in agri, renewable energy, digital transformation, infra, defense and security and other areas where future synergies and complementary interests converge with those of Japan,” the President said.

The working visit, scheduled on February 8 to 12, will include a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and an audience with Emperor Naruhito.

During his meeting with Emperor Naruhito, Marcos said he will invite the Japanese royal family to visit the Philippines.

While in Japan, the President said his team will work on further strengthening “the bonds of friendship with a close neighbor, like-minded and future-oriented like us in many ways, and a most reliable partner in times of both crises and prosperity. ”

The President will meet with Prime Minister Kishida to “take stock of our bilateral relations and regional cooperation in a broad range of engagements,” from security and economic relations to Manila and Tokyo’s continued commitment to mutual peace and prosperity.

The two leaders are also expected to sign key agreements in the areas of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, infrastructure, agriculture and digital cooperation.

Marcos said Japan has been a major bilateral trade and official development partner, consistent in its commitment to uphold the same values aligned with the Philippines’ economic and development priorities.

Japan is also the first country which signed a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) with the Philippines through the PH-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA).

The President will also hold meetings with Japan’s business leaders to promote trade and investment opportunities in the Philippines.

“In these meetings, I will be joined by my economic team and key private sector representatives who have been and will be continuously our partners in growing the Philippine economy,” the President said.

The President will also meet with the Filipino community in Japan before flying back to Manila.

JMS