Metro Manila, Philippines – Manila and Tokyo are expected to announce new agreements covering defense, energy, trade, investment, and human resources during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Japan this week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
DFA spokesperson Analyn Ratonel said Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi are expected to discuss cooperation on security, maritime and defense ties, economic partnership, energy resilience, and future-oriented sectors during the May 26 to 29 visit.
“Inaasahang mag-aanunsyo ang dalawang bansa ng mga bagong kasunduan sa defense, trade and investment at human resources,” Ratonel said during a Palace press briefing on Monday, May 25.
[Translation: The two countries are expected to announce new agreements on defense, trade and investment, and human resources.]
The DFA said the two leaders are also expected to tackle regional security issues in the Indo-Pacific, including maritime cooperation and defense coordination.
“For the Philippine side, gusto nating mapatatag o deeper ang collaboration natin on operational cooperation in maritime and security areas,” Ratonel said.
[Translation: For the Philippine side, we want to establish or deepen our collaboration on operational cooperation in maritime and security areas.]
“Kasama na dito ang information sharing, ang pag-collaborate ng ating defense agencies at ang transfer ng defense equipment,” she added.
[Translation: This includes information sharing, collaboration among our defense agencies, and the transfer of defense equipment.]
Energy security is also expected to be among the key agenda items during the visit as Manila seeks to diversify fuel sources amid global supply concerns linked to tensions in the Middle East.
Ratonel said the two leaders are expected to discuss Japan’s “Power Asia” initiative, a $10-billion program aimed at helping Asian countries secure oil supply and strengthen energy resilience.
The visit also comes as both sides mark the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations this year.
