PH, Japan relations elevated to ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’

[Updated May 28, 2026, 8:10 p.m.]

TOKYO, Japan— The Philippines and Japan elevated their relations to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” as tensions in the East and South China Seas heat up, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced on Thursday.

This marks an upgrade from their previous “Strengthened Strategic Partnership” and represents the highest tier of diplomatic or business relationship between two entities.

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“This milestone reflects the strength, depth, and breadth of our ties as we respond to the evolving challenges and opportunities of our time,” Marcos said in his statement during a joint press conference with Takaichi here.

The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic partnership, energy resilience, decarbonization, cooperation on defense and security, maritime affairs, and emerging future-oriented sectors.

The Philippines has established “Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships” only with Vietnam and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, while maintaining “standard strategic partnerships” with Japan, Australia, South Korea, and India.

Meanwhile, the president thanked Takaichi for expressing support for the Philippines’ chairmanship of this year’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summits and for backing the country’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term.

Earlier in the day, Marcos met with executives from major Japanese companies and secured P56.3 billion worth of investment pledges in shipbuilding, electronics, semiconductor production, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven technologies, and green maritime industries.

The investments are projected to generate around 10,300 direct and indirect jobs across the Philippines. /mr