Departure for the State Visit to Japan (Speech) 5/26/2026

Ajouté : 2026-05-26

[00:00:00]Executive Secretary Ralto. uh our the members of the cabinet that are here today, Pasai City Loan District Representative Antonino Kalixo, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Broner and the Major Service Commanders, Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronny Hill Gaban, Philippine National Police Chief Police Police Lieutenant General Jose Meleno Martates Jr.

[00:00:33]Pasai City Mayor Emlda Kalixto Rubiano and of course first lady Aronetta Marcos. My fellow workers in government, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.

[00:00:46]Upon the invitation of the government of Japan, I shall now undertake a 4-day state visit to Japan starting today. It is my first state visit to Japan following my official and working visits to Tokyo and Osaka in 2023 and 2025 where the Philippine government advanced our multifaceted cooperation with Japan, the Philippines first and oldest strategic partner.

[00:01:17]Significantly, this state visit will coincide with this year's commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between our two countries.

[00:01:30]Indeed, the ties that bind the Philippines and Japan have become ever stronger over the decades, guided by the transformative spirit within the Filipino and Japanese peoples and driven by the common desire for development persistently pursued by our forebears.

[00:01:50]My father took a similar fruitful visit to Japan both in 1966 and in 1977, expanding our bilateral ties and laying the groundwork for the eventual establishment of our now present strategic partnership. This state visit to Japan is essential amid an increasing increasingly challenging and in an and evolving global environment. It forms part of a broader foreign policy agenda to forge closer political ties, stronger defense and security cooperation and more enduring economic partnerships with major countries in the region in order to advance the interest of the Filipino people while promoting regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

[00:02:41]This visit seeks to further strengthen the bonds of friendship with a close neighbor, like-minded and future oriented just like us in many ways, and the most reliable partner in times of both prosperity and times of uncertainty, such as today's ongoing oil crisis. During this trip, I hope to harness the positive trajectory of our relations with Japan in all of our enriching engagements.

[00:03:09]This administration is keen on working closely with Japan and bringing our strengthened strategic partnership to greater heights. I will be actively cultivating collaboration in priority areas that we have identified together such as agriculture, energy and decarbonization, maritime cooperation, trade and investment, infrastructure, defense and security, space technology and also the development of Mindanao.

[00:03:39]I will be advancing Philippine priorities and we will discuss where future synergies and complimentary interests converge with those of Japan in the West Philippine Sea, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East in Azan, our cooperation also with the United States and the Philippines candidature to the United Nations Security Council.

[00:04:03]The first lady and I will have the honor of having an imperial audience with their majesties, the emperor and empress of Japan.

[00:04:12]The first lady and I will also have the honor to confer to be conferred by his majesty the emperor with two of the most prestigious Japanese awards.

[00:04:24]the first lady with a grand cordon of the order of the precious crown and I with a grand cordon of the supreme order of the consanthemum.

[00:04:34]In turn, I shall confer upon his majesty the emperor, the order of Lacandula with the rank of supremo and her majesty the empress the order of Gabriela Silang, both of which are the highest civilian honors in the Philippines in recognition of their majesty's contributions to strengthening Philippine Japan ties.

[00:04:58]This exchange of honors symbolizes the strong friendship and enduring goodwill between our two our two nations and peoples as we reach another milestone in our relations.

[00:05:11]During my visit, I will also be meeting with Prime Minister Takayichi Sanhei.

[00:05:16]This will be my fourth engagement with the new prime minister following our face-to-face meeting in KL on 26 se uh 26th October 2025.

[00:05:28]Our phone call on the 24th of March 2026.

[00:05:32]Our ASAC plus on plus online summit on 15th April of this year uh where we discussed a very wide range of bilateral and regional issues.

[00:05:44]The prime minister and I will have a comprehensive discussion on various issues and explore ways to strengthen our bilateral coordination and cooperation from our security and economic relations to our steadfast commitment to regional global peace and prosperity.

[00:06:04]The prime minister and I also expect to witness the signing and exchange of import important agreements in trade and investment. We will also be announcing key bilateral initiatives in security and maritime cooperation.

[00:06:20]Our defense and security partnership with Japan has deepened in recent years through the forging of new agreements such as the reciprocal access agreement signed in 2024 and the acquisition and cross service servicing agreement signed this year.

[00:06:39]Japan has likewise extended grants under its OSA or official security assistance programs in the years 2023, 2024 and 2025 that support the AFP modernization program.

[00:06:57]Japan has been a major bilateral trade and official development partner consistent in its commitment to uphold the same values aligned with our economic and developmental priorities.

[00:07:10]Japan is also the first country which signed a bilateral free trade agreement with the Philippines through the Philippines Japan economic partnership agreement or Pijpa.

[00:07:23]Japan has extended assistance to our build better more infra programs such as the first phase of the Metro Manila subway project, the construction of the north to south commuter railway project that will connect Malolos and to Tubang, the rehabilitation of the Metro Rail Transit line three and the construction of the central Mindanao high standard highway project that will connect Kagayandeo and Mallay Balai. Japan has likewise extended support in the development of Mindanao through grants in projects such as the establishment of the Basilan and Sulu and Tawittowi wireless B back B back B back B back B back B back B back B back B back B back B backbone network I believe we can further expand our security economic and development cooperation in order to enhance our national defense posture and to uplift the standard of living of Filipinos in different parts of the country As with all my other bilateral visits, I shall hold meetings with Japan's business leaders to promote trade and investment opportunities here in the Philippines. I shall be joined by my economic team and key private sector representatives, our staunch partners in growing the Philippine economy. I also eagerly anticipate meeting with a vibrant Filipino community in Japan who have been contributing to building a better Philippine nation by showcasing the best of Filipino spirit through their hard work and exemplary character.

[00:08:55]Thank you very much.