Marcos to host Japanese PM Ishiba in Malacañan Palace on April 29

Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during a press conference at the Prime Minister’s office on April 1, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan. Nicolas Datiche/Pool via REUTERS

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos will host Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and his wife, Ishiba Yoshiko, in Malacañan Palace on April 29.

The visit is part of the Japanese leader’s official trip to the Philippines from April 29 to 30, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced Wednesday.

“The meeting of President Marcos and Prime Minister Ishiba will aim to deepen and improve economic and development cooperation, political and defense engagements, and people-to-people exchanges,” the PCO said in a statement.

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“Both leaders are also expected to exchange views on regional and global developments and explore new pathways towards peace and stability under the ‘Strengthened Strategic Partnership’ between the two countries,” it added.

The two leaders last met in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, on the sidelines of the Asean Summits in October 2024.