With President Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru scheduled to discuss regional maritime security, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo said that the upcoming visit of the Japanese leader next week shows the strength of the two countries relationship as strategic partners.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru (MB, AP File Photos)
“Very important because Japan is our strategic partner and we have very close relations with Japan in so many areas so it is a symbol of the strength and growing cooperation between our two countries,” he said on the sidelines of the recent Maritime Security Forum held in Manila.
Some agreements, ranging from political to economical to cultural, are expected to be signed during the visit. Discussions will also be held across a spectrum of issues, including trade and infrastructure.
But chief among the discussions to be held is the regional maritime security issues, with Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya highlighting the need to achieve a “free and open Indo-Pacific” and the progress of the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA).
“Well, we have already ratified but we will hear from Japan on the state of the completion of their domestic processes,” Manalo said.
Signed in July 2024, the RAA will allow Filipino soldiers to undergo combat training with their counterparts in Japan.
“The summit meeting with President Marcos will involve discussions on various matters, some of which relate to national security cooperation and maritime law enforcement cooperation,” Endo said in a statement, adding that aside from the RAA, there will also be discussions on the transfer of air surveillance radar systems and Japan’s Official Security Assistance to the Philippines.
Stressing the two countries’ shared fundamental values and principles as maritime nations, the envoy also stated that Marcos and Ishiba will tackle security and defense cooperation issues.
“The topic of international affairs will also be discussed, especially since cooperation between Japan and the Philippines in achieving a Free and Open Indo-Pacific has grown its importance in recent years,” he said.
“The discussions will further promote our security and defense cooperation in order to maintain and strengthen rules-based international order and enhance collaborations on various matters,” Endo added.
Ishiba will be in Manila from April 29 to 30, following the high-level visits of Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Iwaya Takeshi and Minister of Defense Nakatani Gen, as well as Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism Nakano Hiromasa, who will be in Manila on April 27 and 28.
This marks the Prime Minister’s first bilateral visit to the Philippines after he assumed his position in September 2024.
“These consecutive visits by the Prime Minister and other Ministers are a testament to the importance that Japan places on its relationship with the Philippines,” Endo said.
Meanwhile, the ambassador also expressed Japan’s support for the Philippines to achieve upper middle-income status through various fields, such as telecommunication through Open RAN and undersea cables, infrastructure development of railways and highways, and energy in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Japan will also continue contributing to the Philippines’ efforts to combat climate change, improve agricultural productivity, strengthen disaster preparedness, and achieve the goals of the Mindanao peace process.
Endo also believed that with both countries “sharing the same values,” they should continue “to cooperate for strengthening the global economy based on the multilateral trading system.”
“Against the backdrop of the latest global development of trade issues, it is important for us to exchange views on this matter accordingly,” he added.
With Japan and the Philippines celebrating the 70th anniversary of the normalization of relations next year, the ambassador said that Ishiba’s visit “comes at an immensely fortunate time.”
“I firmly believe that this visit will further strengthen the strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines,” he stated.
