MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said Japan has always been an "important partner" in the Philippine economic development ever since Manila established relations with Tokyo 70 years ago.
The President made the remark during the courtesy call at Malacañang of Fujita Fumitake, a member of Japan's House of Representatives and co-representative of the Japan Innovation Party.
In a statement, the Palace said Marcos "reaffirmed the comprehensive strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan."
Marcos thanked Fujita for visiting the Philippines, noting the increasing frequency and breadth of engagements between the two countries. Fujita will be in Manila until August 4.
“Despite not being able to meet with you during our trip to Japan, you were able to come and be with us. Thank you very much. Japan has always been an important partner in the Philippine economic development ever since we have established our diplomatic relations, which has now expanded to every other areas of cooperation,” the President said.
Malacanang said Fujita had earlier requested a courtesy call on Marcos during the President's state visit to Japan from May 26 to 29, 2026, but the meeting could not be accommodated due to scheduling constraints.
In 2025, Japan ranked as the country's second-largest trading partner, with total bilateral trade reaching $22.2 billion, the Palace said.
As of December 2025, Japan continued to be the Philippines' largest provider of official development assistance (ODA), with loan and grant commitments totaling approximately $13.96 billion, representing 33.54 percent of the country's total ODA portfolio.
Japan was the Philippines' second-largest export market, accounting for $11.57 billion in exports, and its third-largest source of imports at $10.63 billion, it added.
Cash remittances from overseas Filipino workers in Japan amounted to $1.61 billion in 2025, slightly lower than the $1.71 billion recorded in 2024.
As comprehensive strategic partners, the Philippines and Japan have concluded 306 bilateral agreements as of June 2026, covering trade and investment, defense equipment and technology transfer, infrastructure development, and peace and development initiatives in Mindanao.
Major Philippine exports to Japan include electrical machinery and equipment, edible fruits and nuts, machinery and mechanical appliances, ores and minerals, and plastics.
Meanwhile, the Philippines imports from Japan electrical machinery, industrial equipment, motor vehicles and parts, special-use commodities, and plastic products.
Japan also remained a leading source of foreign investments, with net foreign direct investments reaching $734.47 million in 2025.
People-to-people ties between the two countries also continue to strengthen. Japanese tourist arrivals to the Philippines increased to 502,546 in 2025 from 444,528 in 2024, while an estimated 337,227 Filipinos were residing in Japan as of June 2024.
The Philippines and Japan commemorate this year the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations and the 15th anniversary of their Strengthened Strategic Partnership, established in 2011.
