Japan's envoy to the Philippines is all set to support further bolstering Tokyo's bilateral relations with Manila in 2025, especially as the new year starts with the visit of Japan's top diplomat to the country.
The relationship between the two countries is now "in a golden age," according to Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya. And now, he added, "we are determined to further unlock its full potential."
Why he said so was because the year 2026 will mark the 70th anniversary of the normalization of the two countries' diplomatic relation, so it is "highly important to cast its skin this year."
In a forum organized by Stratbase ADR Institute on Friday, Jan. 10, Kazuya announced the upcoming visit of Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi to the Philippines on Jan. 14.
"We will persevere in pursuing these efforts while maintaining high-level communication... Next week, Foreign Minister Iwaya is scheduled to visit the Philippines as the first high-level visit in 2025," he said.
"Deepening communication about the strategic environment is a priority visit for advancing concrete cooperation," he added.
Kazuya is also looking forward to the rollout of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) because once it takes effect, he said, "our level of cooperation will enter a new phase."
"The Japan Self-Defence Forces will be able to engage in advanced training with the armed forces of the Philippines, particularly in joint US-Philippines exercises such as Barikatan, Kamandag, andSama-Sama," he said.
"Together, we will continue to fortify our security and defence cooperation with allies and like-minded partners such as the US and Australia, sending a powerful message of our unwavering commitment to regional peace and stability, anchored on the rule of law," he added.