In a historic diplomatic move, the Philippines and Japan are officially working to elevate their bilateral ties into a comprehensive strategic partnership, marking Manila’s first-ever agreement of this magnitude with any nation.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the diplomatic upgrade during an address before Japan’s House of Councilors and the Japan-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship League in Tokyo on Wednesday.
“This step attests to the exceptional level of trust between our two countries and our common resolve to further deepen cooperation in addressing the challenges and the opportunities that await us,” Marcos stated.
The President lauded Tokyo’s active involvement in maintaining peace across the region, praising its “proactive role in promoting stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific” amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.
Speaking as the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Marcos also thanked Japan for its steadfast engagement with the regional bloc via its Dialogue Partnership mechanism.
Marcos emphasized that the enduring bond between the two nations is anchored on mutual democratic values, maritime cooperation, and a strict adherence to international law. He further acknowledged Japan’s unparalleled economic contributions to the country.
“Japan remains one of the Philippines’ most important partners in terms of trade and investment,” Marcos noted. “And 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.”
Looking forward, the Chief Executive identified several cutting-edge sectors ripe for bilateral expansion, including clean energy, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, space technology, and the development of critical minerals.
As part of his official visit, President Marcos is scheduled to address the National Diet, Japan’s parliament, on Thursday, followed by a high-level meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to finalize key agreements spanning defense, trade, and economic cooperation.