By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., along with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, will undertake a state visit to Japan on May 26–29, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) confirmed Friday.
In a statement, the PCO said Marcos Jr.’s state visit is at the invitation of the Japanese government and coincides with the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the normalization of Manila and Tokyo’s diplomatic relations this year.
Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan were normalized on July 23, 1956 following the entry into force of the San Francisco Peace Treaty and the Reparations Agreement between the two countries.
Marcos Jr.’s state visit will be the first for a Philippine president in nearly 11 years since the late President Benigno Aquino III’s state visit in June 2015—where the two countries elevated their relations into a Strengthened Strategic Partnership through a joint declaration with then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Meanwhile, Japan’s monarchs—Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko—last paid a state visit to the Philippines in January 2016.
While both are undertaken upon an invitation by a host nation, a state visit is different from an official visit as only a foreign head of state is invited for a state visit, while the latter can be undertaken by any foreign high-ranking official from Cabinet level to head of government.
In a state visit, military honors are given, national anthems are played, and a state luncheon or dinner is held, while these are not required for an official visit by a high-ranking official.
A working visit, on the other hand, can be undertaken by any high-ranking government official even without an invitation from a host country. No military honors and state luncheon or dinner will also be given during a working visit.
PBBM’s state visit
Upon arrival in the Land of the Rising Sun, the First Couple will be received by Their Majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace for a welcome ceremony and a state call.
“Their Majesties will also host a state banquet in honor of the President and the First Lady,” the PCO said.
During the three-day state visit, Marcos will hold a summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae to discuss “the future trajectory of the Philippines-Japan Strengthened Strategic Partnership.”
The two leaders are also expected to tackle current international developments, especially their impact on energy and food security, as well as maritime security.
The President is also set to meet with Japanese business leaders and members of the Filipino community in Japan, as part of his official engagements.
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