MANILA/TOKYO – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. affirmed the Philippines’ intent to further bolster its cooperation with Japan during a meeting with Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi, who visited the country earlier this month.
“I’m happy that you come at a time where the relations between the Philippines and Japan are stronger that they have been in our entire history,” Marcos Jr. told Motegi at Malacañang, according to the Presidential Communications Office.
“But, nonetheless, there is very still much going on and to continue. And we look forward to the continuing support of the legislature and the political leadership of Japan in all that we have started to do with Prime Minister [Fumio] Kishida,” he added.
Motegi, a potential candidate in next month’s party leadership election following Kishida’s announcement that he will not seek re-election, emphasized the significance of the Philippines as Japan’s neighbor and strategic partner.
“So, I’m aware that there was an in-depth discussion on our bilateral relations, and interregional and international affairs at the last year’s [summit meetings]. Also, this year, this April there was a First Naval Japan-US-Philippines Trilateral Summit. And I’m delighted to see that the trilateral cooperations has been a steady progress” he said.
In February last year, the chief executive traveled to Japan for an official visit, where he held bilateral talks with Kishida and had an audience with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako. Kishida made an official return visit to Manila in November of the same year. Marcos Jr. visited Japan again in December to participate in the 50th ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit. - Florenda Corpuz
(Photo courtesy of Presidential Communications Office)
