PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to push for strengthened collaboration in security and energy resilience when he embarks on a state visit to Japan, which runs from May 26 to 29, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday.
Marcos, accompanied by first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and some members of the Cabinet, will also seek deeper cooperation in the fields of maritime and defense, economy, and “emerging and future-oriented sectors” when he meets with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
“The two leaders are also expected to discuss regional and global issues affecting the Philippines and Japan such as Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, and developments in the Middle East,” DFA spokesman Analyn Ratonel said in Filipino in a pre-departure briefing in Malacañang.
“The two countries are expected to announce new agreements on defense, trade and investment, and human resources. The president is also scheduled to meet with Japanese business groups and members of the Filipino community in Japan,” she added.
Apart from the face-to-face with Takaichi, Marcos is also slated to have an audience with The Emperor and Empress at the Imperial Palace for a welcome ceremony and a state call. This will be followed by a state banquet in honor of the president and the first lady.
“The president is also scheduled to meet with Japanese business groups and members of the Filipino community in Japan,” Ratonel said.
The Philippines and Japan commemorate this year the 70th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations.
