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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Marcos trumpets 'positive trajectory' of PH, Japan ties

Marcos trumpets 'positive trajectory' of PH, Japan ties

Published Feb 23, 2023 02:54 am
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. called Japan a “friend” and a “strategic partner” as he promised to sustain the “positive trajectory” of the Philippines’ relationship with its Asian neighbor.  The Chief Executive, together with Japanese Ambassador to Manila Kazuhiko Koshikawa, attended the National Day of Japan and the celebration of the birthday of Japanese Emperor Naruhito at the Shangri-la The Fort in Taguig City. Marcos wished the Emperor “abundant blessings” on his birthday as he gave a toast during the event. The two met during the President’s recent state visit there.  “The breadth and depth of our engagement with Japan is a partnership for peace and progress, not only for Japan but certainly for the Philippines. Our strategic partnership is indeed stronger than ever,” he said in his speech. “I wish abundant happiness and blessings to His Majesty The Emperor as he leads Japan to continued prosperity and the promotion of peace,” Marcos added. During his meeting with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, the President conveyed the affection and admiration of the Filipino people, including some 300,000 Filipinos who consider Japan their second home. The President also met with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, with whom he discussed a broad range of cooperation. Such a broad range of topics, Marcos said, revealed “just how responsive and robust our partnership has grown since we established diplomatic relations in 1956.” “We had a harvest of several agreements from agriculture and infrastructure to defense and information and communications technology,” the President added. Calling Japan a “friend, neighbor and strategic partner,” he hailed the island country for being “one of our steadfast partners in the efforts to realize the Philippines’ transformative agenda – in infrastructure, in social inclusion, in defense, to name but a few.” Marcos also underscored the “vibrant” people-to-people cooperation in tourism and labor exchanges as he thanked Japan for its support for Mindanao’s peace and development. Also in the event were Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, and House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
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