By Alec Go
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. arrived in Japan on Wednesday, Feb. 8, for a working visit that is expected to bring more investments and agri-business deals, and to strengthen Manila-Tokyo ties on trade and security.
Marcos and the Philippine delegation aboard Flight PR 001 arrived at the Haneda International Airport at 4:35 p.m. He will be in Japan until Feb. 12.
He is set to have a one-on-one meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, while he and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos will receive an Imperial audience with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.
Several deals in the areas of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, infrastructure, agriculture, and digital cooperation will be sealed in his meeting with Kishida.
He will also work on boosting “the bonds of friendship with a close neighbor, like-minded and future-oriented like us in many ways and a most reliable partner in times of both crises and prosperity.”
The President, along with his economic team with key private sector leaders, will meet Japanese business leaders to promote trade and investment opportunities in the Philippines.
He will also deliver a keynote address during the Philippine Business Opportunity seminar.
Citing the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the Japan trip may bring about P150 billion in investment pledges and around 8,000 jobs.
Agri-biz deals
In a media interview while en-route to Japan, Marcos said his trip is also eyeing to open more agri-business markets for Filipino products.
“Well, number one, that opens up hindi lamang the usual exchange of technology, but that’s an important part of it, but also investment in agriculture and hopefully opening markets in Japan for our agricultural products,” he said.
“So that’s a very wide-ranging discussion. So yes, we hope to do a lot on that regard para ma-accelerate ‘yung ating agricultural development,” he said. – gb
