Newly installed Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru expressed his desire to deepen Japan's ties with the Philippines even further beginning with the implementation of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) signed between the two countries early this year.

This developed during President Marcos and Prime Minister Ishiba's informal talks on the sidelines of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Vientiane, Laos, on Oct. 10.

According to the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines, the new Prime Minister said he would "like to further deepen cooperation with the Philippines in the midst of an increasingly challenging regional security environment."

Marcos said he was pleased to meet Ishiba immediately after his inauguration and would like "to further enhance cooperation" with the Japanese leader. Ishiba assumed his post on Sept. 27.

The President also expressed that he was delighted to see the strengthening of bilateral relations between Japan and the Philippines and the progress in Philippines-Japan-United States cooperation.

The two leaders likewise confirmed that they will proceed with the procedures for the early entry into force of the RAA signed between the two countries in July.

They likewise exchanged views on cooperation in different areas such as economic security and agricultural technology.

During the 27th ASEAN-Japan Summit, President Marcos assured Prime Minister Ishiba that the Philippines will continue to support an enduring ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.

He likewise referred to Japan as ASEAN's "trusted partner" as he welcomed Japan’s commitment to the common vision of the two parties being "a world built on shared principles and values, the rule of law and good governance, and respect for and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms."

“We appreciate Japan’s support for strengthening and promoting ASEAN Centrality, through the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP),” Marcos said.

According to the President, ASEAN-Japan relations continue to fortify a rules-based Indo-Pacific region that is free and open through shared fundamental principles in fostering peace, stability, and prosperity.

The President also thanked Japan for its support as a Partner for Co-Creation of Economy and Society of the Future through the mechanisms of the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR), as well as the ASEAN-JICA Food Value Chain Development Project, promoting sustainable agriculture and food security.

"Together, we seek to strengthen resilient and sustainable agriculture and food systems contributing to existing efforts in ensuring regional food security," Marcos said.