By Brian Campued
“Sa bawat pagkakataong ibinibigay sa akin na makaharap ang ating mga kababayan sa ibayong-dagat, iisa ang aking nararamdaman—malalim na pasasalamat, taos-pusong paghanga sa inyo.”
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday engaged with the Filipino community in Tokyo ahead of his jam-packed schedule during his four-day state visit to Japan until May 29.
The President, along with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and his delegation, arrived at Haneda Airport around 6:31 p.m., Tokyo time.
In a speech, Marcos thanked the Filipino community in Japan for their contributions to nation-building and to the enduring friendship between the Philippines and Japan.
“Bago pa man kami makipagpulong sa mga pinuno ng Japan, minarapat naming unahin ang pakikipagkita sa inyo sapagkat kayo ang dahilan kung bakit mahalaga ang relasyon ng Pilipinas at Japan. Kayo ang nagbibigay-buhay sa ugnayang ito,” he said.
“Napakahalaga para sa amin na ipabatid sa inyo na ang inyong pamahalaan ay walang tigil at walang sawang nagsisikap upang mapangalagaan ang inyong mga karapatan, kapakanan, at kaligtasan habang kayo naghahanapbuhay sa ibayong-dagat.”
As the two countries commemorate the 70th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations, the President also highlighted the Filipino youth’s role as “torch-bearers” that will carry Manila and Tokyo’s “legacy of brotherhood and friendship” in the years to come.
He encouraged young Filipinos living in Japan to “take advantage of all the opportunities available to you in this country and in return, contribute positively to the society that you have taken as your own.”
“Our greatest asset is our unique identity. Let your Filipino heritage emanate from you in your daily interactions while still being mindful of social norms, and watch it enrich your social environment and spheres of influence.”
The Embassy of the Philippines in Tokyo said the Filipino community in Japan is the fourth-largest contingent in the country, composed of around 349,714 registered Filipinos residing across various regions as of June 2025.
“Inaasahan ko na tulad ng mga panahong nagdaan, ang mga Pilipino sa hapon ay mananatiling matagumpay sa kani-kanilang mga napiling larangan. Nagtitiwala ako sa kakayahan ng bawat isa na maging haligi ng inyong mga pamayanan,” Marcos said.
During his state visit, the President said he will seek to further strengthen ties with Japan amid present global challenges and elevate the two countries’ Strengthened Strategic Partnership to greater heights.
He is also expected to actively pursue collaboration in priority areas such as agriculture, energy and decarbonization, maritime cooperation, trade and investment, infrastructure, defense and security, space technology, and Mindanao development.
-av
