President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the Philippines’ dedication to deepening its alliance with Japan on Wednesday, highlighting a shared commitment to democratic principles and maritime security in the face of escalating regional tensions.
Addressing Japan’s House of Councilors at the First Members Building in Tokyo, Marcos underscored the critical need to safeguard international sea lanes to protect global commerce.
“Like Japan, the Philippines believes that maritime security is an essential pillar for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific and as recent developments have shown,” the President said. “The world cannot afford to have our waterways disrupted or placed at risk given their vital roles in sustaining global trade and economic stability.”
The President extended his gratitude to Tokyo for sustaining Manila’s inclusion in its Official Security Assistance program for three consecutive years, noting its pivotal role in upgrading the Philippines’ maritime defense infrastructure.
“No other country has matched Japan in the scale and quality of its development assistance to the Philippines, including the long-term investments in human security in Mindanao and across our islands,” Marcos noted.
Marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two Asian nations, Marcos described the milestone as a testament to the “depth of reconciliation, trust and shared purpose” achieved over the decades.
He emphasized that bilateral defense ties are actively expanding through frameworks like the Reciprocal Access Agreement and the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement.
“Our growing collaboration in this area is operationalized through the Reciprocal Access Agreement and the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement,” he stated.
Marcos further revealed ongoing efforts to elevate the relationship into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, marking the highest tier of diplomatic engagement for the Philippines.
Following his address, the President was scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to tackle future cooperation in trade, defense, and human resource development.