As the Philippines and Japan agreed to strengthen their ties in various areas, the two governments also reached mutual positions on issues concerning the region, such as war, abduction, and sea tensions.

In a 55-minute meeting between President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio on Thursday, Feb. 9, the two leaders reaffirmed their stand on issues such as the situation in the East and South China Seas, abduction issues involving North Korea, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, the situation in Myanmar, and nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation.

The two leaders expressed serious concern over the situation in the East and South China Seas, and strongly opposed arbitrary actions, including force or coercion that may increase tensions.

The leaders also expressed concern for, and strong opposition against all forms of economic coercion, and affirmed the importance of transparent, and fair development finance.

Both two leaders likewise condemned the abduction of Japanese citizens by North Korea that transpired over the years, and affirmed to urge North Korea to immediately resolve the abduction issue.

They further condemned North Korea’s ongoing development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, including the unprecedented number of ballistic missiles launched last year, and reiterated their commitment to achieving the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges of North Korea.

On the situation in Ukraine, Marcos and Kishida reaffirmed their position, and deplored "in the strongest terms, the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and its complete and unconditional withdrawal from the territory of Ukraine."

They stressed that "the use or threat of nuclear weapons is unacceptable."

The two leaders reaffirmed their support for the Association of Southeast Asian Nation's (ASEAN) efforts to improve the situation in Myanmar through the Five-Point Consensus.

As for nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation, they also reaffirmed their intention to work closely, including through activities in the framework of the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI), toward the 11th NPT review conference with a view to maintaining and strengthening the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as the cornerstone of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime.

The two leaders reaffirmed that a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” and “ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)” share fundamental principles.

Both leaders also expressed that they looked forward to jointly announcing a new vision for the future ASEAN–Japan relations on the occasion of the ASEAN–Japan Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in Tokyo in December.

JPY 600-billion dev't aid to PH

During their bilateral meeting, Kishida told Marcos that Japan intends to contribute assistance and private sector investment of JPY 600 billion by March 2024 to assist the economic development plan of the Philippines, including the “Build Better More” program of the Marcos administration.

The two leaders agreed to implement Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects, as well as explore possibilities of public-private partnership (PPP) in infrastructure development such as railways, bridges and roads, among others, through the High Level Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation.

Kishida further expressed Japan's intention to advance concrete cooperation in the fields of maritime safety, such as development of a support base in Subic Bay, as well as in energy, health, and industrial development.

Defense ties

Both leaders concurred to materialize the security and defense cooperation through bilateral consultations, including the Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting (“2+2”).

They welcomed the signing of the terms of reference concerning the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Activities of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) in the Philippines, and agreed to continue to consider ways including additional frameworks to enhance and facilitate joint exercises and others between the two countries.

The two leaders also intend to advance consideration to promote cooperation in defense equipment and technology as well as trilateral cooperation among Japan, the United States and the Philippines. They shared the view to further advance cooperation in economic security, cyber security and among others.

Kishida also expressed Japan’s intention to continue strengthening its support toward the institution of an autonomous government in Bangsamoro in ways commensurate to the peace process, and to extend cooperation in the Sulu–Celebes Seas and their surrounding areas.

Visa Exemption

During the meeting, the Japanese Prime Minister announced visa exemption mainly for Philippine government officials.

Marcos, on the other hand, welcomed Japan’s announcement and expressed his hope to build upon this momentum to further facilitate people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Robbery cases

As for the widespread robbery and fraud cases in Japan, Kishida touched on the fact that necessary cooperation has been conducted between the relevant authorities of the two countries, and he asked for continued collaboration between the authorities.

Invitation

Marcos also took their bilateral talk as an opportunity to invite the Prime Minister to visit the Philippines in an early time, which the latter accepted.

Signed agreements

During their meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of seven agreements:

• Exchange of Notes concerning the North–South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Extension Project (II)
• Exchange of Notes concerning the NSCR (Malolos–Tutuban) Project (II)
• Loan Agreement for the NSCR Extension Project (II)
• Loan Agreement for the NSCR (Malolos–Tutuban) Project (II)
• Terms of Reference concerning the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Activities of the JSDF
• Memorandum of Cooperation on Agriculture
• Memorandum of Cooperation on ICT

During the bilateral meeting, Marcos was accompanied by former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Senate President Miguel Zubiri, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, and First Lady Liza Araneta, who joined the summit-level working dinner.