DFA: 7 key bilateral deals to be inked during Marcos’ visit to Japan

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Seven key bilateral agreements are expected to be signed during President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s visit to Japan next week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday.

DFA Assistant Secretary Neal Imperial said this will cover cooperation in infrastructure development, defense, agriculture, and information and communications technology areas.

“The official working visit is expected to reaffirm the strong and vibrant relations between the two countries,” he said in a Palace briefing.

“It also seeks to maximize the full potential of Philippine-Japan strategic partnership in all its aspects and facilitate closer defense, security, political, economic, and people to people ties,” Imperial added.

Marcos will go to Japan for a five-day working visit on Feb. 8 to 12, his first visit to the East Asian country.

The DFA said the President’s visit to Japan is “consequential,” as it is the first country in which the Philippines has forged a “strategic partnership.”

Marcos will be joined by First Lady Liza Marcos, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Senate President Miguel Zubiri, House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Cabinet officials.

A large business delegation will also be joining the President’s trip, Imperial said.

Official activities of the President in Japan will begin on Feb. 9 when he will meet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

The DFA said this will be the second face-to-face meeting of the two leaders in less than five months after they met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York last year.

Kishida will then host a working dinner for Marcos where they will discuss “a broad range of bilateral and regional issues to further strengthen the two countries’ cooperation in the second decade of their strategic partnership.”

The President and the First Lady will also be given an imperial audience with Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako “at an unspecified date and time,” Imperial said.

“Round table and business meetings, business calls on the president, and business seminar will be held on Feb 9 and 10. The President will also witness the signing of several business deals,” he added.

Marcos will also meet with chief executive officers of Japanese shipping companies and associations “to advance partnerships with Philippine stakeholders in maritime education and welfare programs for our seafarers.”

On his last day in Japan on Feb. 12, the President will also meet with the Filipino community in Tokyo.

JMS