‘Very constructive, highly productive’ – Marcos on returning from Japan visit
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is now back in Manila, said his four-day state visit to Japan was “very constructive and highly productive.”
The plane carrying Marcos, first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and the rest of the Philippine delegation touched down at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City at 6:19 p.m. on Friday.
In his opening statement at an interview with the press before departing from Tokyo, Marcos said the timing of his visit was meaningful since the Philippines and Japan commemorated the 70th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations this year.
READ: Marcos secures P56.3B in investment pledges from major Japanese firms
“It was an opportune moment not only to reflect on seven decades of friendship, but more importantly, to chart the future of our partnership,” he said.
During his state call with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako in the Imperial Palace, Marcos said they reaffirmed the enduring friendship and goodwill between the Filipino and Japanese people.
Meanwhile, in his summit with Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, the two leaders agreed to elevate the two countries’ relationship from a Strengthened Strategic Partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
“This reflects how our cooperation has grown not only stronger but also deeper and broader, not only across the traditional areas of security, maritime and defense cooperation, and trade and investment but also across new frontiers critical to our future such as energy security, supply chain resilience, decarbonization, artificial intelligence, and space cooperation,” he said.
The governments of the Philippines and Japan also signed a new agreement on the avoidance of double taxation, which will enhance the business environment and encourage greater investment.
READ: Marcos becomes 4th PH leader to speak before Japan Diet
“We also signed agreements in agriculture and fisheries, improving equitable access to quality health services and human resource development,” Marcos said.
The commencement of negotiations for a General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) and maritime boundary delimitation was also agreed upon by both leaders.
‘Investment hub in Asia’
Aside from these agreements, Marcos will bring home with him $3.4 billion, or P210 billion, in combined investment pledges, pipeline opportunities, financial support facilities, and tourism flagship investment prospects.
Major Japanese firms Furukawa Electric Corp., Sumitomo Electric Industries, MinebeaMitsumi Inc., and Tsuneishi Group Corp. also committed to investing P56.3 billion in the semiconductor, advanced electronics, precision manufacturing and shipbuilding industries.
These investments are expected to generate around 10,300 additional direct and indirect jobs for Filipinos.
Marcos said he presented to investors the potential of the Philippines to become a hub in Asia, given its short distance to the countries in the region.
“I suppose the way we could describe it is that we have aspirations to become a hub in Asia,” he said.
“Because as I keep reminding our potential investors, the Philippines is only four hours away from every major capital in Asia, and that puts us geographically at the center of Asia,” Marcos added. /atm
