President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. championed a rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific during a historic address before Japan’s National Diet, declaring that regional waters must be “governed by rules, not by force” amidst escalating territorial tensions.
Speaking to Japanese lawmakers during his four-day state visit, Marcos framed the Philippines and Japan as sister maritime democracies united in protecting regional stability, freedom of navigation, and international law.
“As maritime democracies, the Philippines and Japan are committed to strengthening maritime security and ensuring that our seas remain open, secure, and governed by rules, not by force,” Marcos stated.
Though his speech omitted any direct mention of China, the Chief Executive repeatedly cautioned against regional “coercion.”
He underscored the urgency of maintaining international law in the Indo-Pacific, particularly with the 10th anniversary of the 2016 arbitral ruling—which invalidated Beijing’s expansive South China Sea claims—fast approaching.
“The Philippines remains at the forefront of upholding a rules-based maritime order,” Marcos added, emphasizing that all nations deserve equal treatment under international law “regardless of size or power.”
He further reaffirmed Manila’s allegiance to peaceful conflict resolution through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The high-profile address coincided with the 70th anniversary of normalized diplomatic relations between Manila and Tokyo. Reflecting on this milestone, Marcos praised the geopolitical evolution between the two states.
“The relationship between the Philippines and Japan is at its core a story of transformation from reconciliation to deep mutual trust,” the President noted, paying tribute to former President Elpidio Quirino’s post-World War II peace initiatives.
Beyond defense and maritime security, Marcos outlined expanding bilateral partnerships in cutting-edge industries, including artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, renewable energy, digital innovation, and space technology.
He urged both countries to diversify economies to mitigate “undue dependencies” and shield growth from geopolitical disruption. The President also acknowledged Japan’s role as a primary trade and investment partner, while praising the 360,000-strong Filipino diaspora in Japan for their vital contributions to the local workforce.
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene Garcia-Albano highlighted the gravity of the event, noting that an invitation to speak before the Diet is a rare honor reserved for select foreign dignitaries.
With this speech, Marcos joins Elpidio Quirino, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III as only the fourth Philippine president to address Japan’s parliament.