President Marcos, together with other Southeast Asian leaders, enjoyed the best of Japanese hospitality when Prime Minister Fumio Kishida feted them and their spouses at a banquet at the Asakasa Palace in Tokyo on Friday night, Dec. 16.
(Front row from left) Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet with his wife Pich Chanmony, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida with his wife Yuko, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone with his wife Vandara and Brunei Sultan Haji Hassan Bolkiah with Prince Abdul Mateen; and (back row from left) Wan Aziz, wife of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar bin Ibrahim with Anwar bin Ibrahim, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with his wife Liza Araneta-Marcos, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong with his wife Ho Ching, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and East Timor Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao pose for a photo prior to their dinner at the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo, Saturday Dec. 16, 2023. (Photo from Bongbong Marcos/Facebook)
Kishida and his spouse, Kishida Yuko, hosted a Japanese-themed banquet for Marcos and other ASEAN leaders, who are in Japan to attend the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.
The banquet which had a celebratory mood, showcased Japanese talents and artistry—from the performance of Japanese traditional drums and the making of sushi to the traditional craftsmanship in the making of “amezaiku” candy that was offered as gifts to the ASEAN Leaders.
Before the banquet, Kishida delivered a message on “Peace and Prosperity through Co-creation based on Trust.”
The Japanese prime minister reflected on his predecessors' engagements over the past 50 years, and stated that the ASEAN-Japan relationships have been anchored on mutual trust.
He expressed confidence that even amid crises, Japan and ASEAN can find solutions because of their strong relationship of trust.
Japan and the regional bloc have also grown together as partners to co-create a society and economy in which people from all walks of life can achieve and enjoy the middle-class dreams, the prime minister said.
This relationship and cooperation allowed Japan and ASEAN to pursue "peace and prosperity,” he added.
The official also stated that the co-creation and expansion of better economies and societies will further secure a free and open international order based on the rule of law.
Kishida then called on the ASEAN leaders to present to the world a vision for future generations.
In a Facebook post, President Marcos, accompanied by his wife First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, expressed gratitude to Japan for the “warm hospitality.”
“Beyond trade, culture, and security, we are partners in our values and aspirations. Thank you always, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, for the warm hospitality,” he wrote with the emoticons of Philippine and Japanese flags.
The President shared a group photo of the ASEAN leaders and their spouses with Kishida before the banquet dinner. He wore a blue suit with gray tie while the First Lady donned a silver gray dress and overcoat.
They both had a pin of the Philippine flag on their upper left chest.
Aside from the Marcoses, Kishida and his wife, also in attendance during the banquet were Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet with his wife Pich Chanmony, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone with his wife Vandara, and Brunei Sultan Haji Hassan Bolkiah with Prince Abdul Mateen.
Also there were: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar bin Ibrahim with his wife Wan Aziz; Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong with his wife Ho Ching; Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and East Timor Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.