The Philippines and Japan are set to sign seven agreements covering different areas of cooperation during President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s official working visit to Tokyo from Feb. 8 to 12, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
DFA Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Neal Imperial said this during the pre-departure briefing for Marcos' trip to Japan in Malacañang on Wednesday.
In his remarks, the Foreign Affairs official said they consider the trip "consequential" since Japan was the first country with which the Philippines forged a strategic partnership. It is also only one of two strategic partners of the Philippines, the other one being Vietnam.
During the visit, Imperial said seven key bilateral documents or agreements would be signed. These cover cooperation in the following:
- Infrastructure development
- Defense
- Agriculture
- Information and communications technology
" areas that are in the President's priority agenda," Imperial said.
He added that the DFA expects the signing of "umbrella terms of reference" on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief cooperation during the working visit. This will be signed by the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Ministry of Defense of Japan.
"Japan has been a very important partner in providing assistance in relation to disaster relief. We certainly welcome this agreement once it's signed," he said.
Also, the visit includes an exchange of notes about the loan agreements on infrastructure projects.
Marcos' visit is upon the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio. It would the President's first trip to Japan since assuming office, and his third overseas trip this year.
What to expect?
According to Imperial, Marcos' visit is expected to reaffirm the strong and vibrant relations between the two countries.
"It also seeks to maximize the full potential of the Philippine-Japan strategic partnership in all its aspects and facilitate closer defense, security, political, economic, and people-to-people ties," he said.
The President's official activities will begin on Feb. 9 with several important meetings, including one with Kishida. This will be their second face-to-face meeting in less than five months after meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York in September last year.
The bilateral meeting will be followed by a working dinner hosted by the Japanese Prime Minister. Both leaders are set to discuss "a broad range of bilateral and regional issues to strengthen further the two countries' cooperation in the second decade of their strategic partnership."
The First Couple will also be given an Imperial Audience with Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako. Imperial, however, did not disclose when this would take place.
During the President's trip, several roundtable and business meetings, business calls, and business seminars will be held. Marcos will also witness the signing of several business deals.
In his commitment to enhancing the global competitiveness of Filipino seafarers, President Marcos will meet with CEOs of Japanese shipping companies and associations to advance partnerships with Philippine stakeholders in maritime education and welfare programs for Filipino seafarers.
Before departing for Manila, Marcos will meet more than a thousand members of the Filipino community in Tokyo.
Delegation
The following will join President Marcos in his official working visit to Japan:
- First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos
- Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
- Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo
- Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno
- Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual
- Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla
- Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco
- Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo
- Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil
"Other cabinet officials and undersecretaries will be part of the official delegation," Imperial said.
He added that a large business delegation is also expected to join Marcos' delegation.
Marcos will depart Manila in the afternoon of Feb. 8 and arrive in Tokyo in the early evening of the same day.