By Alec Go
At least seven key agreements are set to be signed by the Philippines and Japan next week during the working visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to Tokyo, a foreign affairs official said Wednesday, Feb. 1.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Neal Imperial said Marcos will be in Japan for his first official working visit there from Feb. 8 to 12, upon the invitation of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
“During the visit, we anticipate the signing of seven key bilateral documents or agreements covering cooperation in infrastructure development, defense, agriculture, and information and communications technology,” he said.
Imperial said the DFA sees the visit as “consequential” with Japan being one of the two strategic partners of the Philippines and the only country with which the Philippines has a bilateral free trade agreement with.
He also noted Japan as the country’s second largest trading partner in 2021, third largest export market, second top source of imports, and the biggest official development assistance source.
“The official working visit is expected to reaffirm the strong and vibrant relations between the two countries,” the official said.
“It also seeks to maximize the full potential of the Philippines-Japan strategic partnership in all its aspects and facilitate closer defense, security, political, economic, and people-to-people ties,” he continued.
Marcos will be joined by First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, House Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Arroyo, Senate President Migs Ziburi, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo.
Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Trade and Industry Secretary Alredo Pascual, energy Secretary Rafael Lotilla, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo, and Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil will also be part of the Philippine delegation.
A “large business” delegation will also join the trip.
Activities
Marcos will depart Manila on Feb. 8 afternoon and his official activities will begin on Feb 9.
He is set to meet Kishida in their second in-person meeting since the United National General Assembly in September 2022, followed by a working dinner hosted by the Japanese leader.
“Both leaders 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,” Imperial said.
Marcos and the first lady will receive an imperial audience with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.
On Feb. 9 and 10, roundtable and business meetings, a business seminar, and the signing of some business agreements will be held.
The president will also meet leaders of Japanese shipping companies and associations in a bid to enhance Filipino seafarers’ competitiveness.
He will conclude his Japan trip in an engagement with the Filipino community before he returns to the Philippines. – gb
