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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos, First Lady celebrate Philippines-Japan friendship with 'Japanese sinigang' ahead of state visit

Marcos, First Lady celebrate Philippines-Japan friendship with 'Japanese sinigang' ahead of state visit

Published May 20, 2026 03:12 pm
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos join Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya and Mme. Endo Akiko for a dinner highlighting Philippines-Japan friendship ahead of the President’s state visit to Tokyo. (Photo from Liza Marcos Facebook page)
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos join Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya and Mme. Endo Akiko for a dinner highlighting Philippines-Japan friendship ahead of the President’s state visit to Tokyo. (Photo from Liza Marcos Facebook page)
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos highlighted the deepening friendship between the Philippines and Japan ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s upcoming state visit to Tokyo, following a dinner hosted by Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, May 20, the First Lady recounted highlights from the gathering, calling it "a wonderful evening of friendship, warm conversations, and a delightful surprise," which included a unique Japanese take on the Filipino classic sinigang.
“A wonderful evening of friendship, warm conversations, and a delightful surprise — the Japanese rendition of our very own sinigang. Truly memorable,” she said.
First Lady Liza Marcos said the
First Lady Liza Marcos said the "wonderful evening of friendship and warm conversations" was highlighted by a Japanese twist on the Filipino classic sinigang. (Photo from Liza Marcos Facebook page)
The intimate dinner underscored the strong cultural and diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Japan as preparations continue for Marcos’ high-level visit next week.
“My sincere thanks to His Excellency ENDO Kazuya and Mme. ENDO Akiko for graciously welcoming us into their home,” the First Lady said in a social media post.
“We deeply appreciate your kindness and hospitality as we prepare for the President’s State Visit to Japan next week,” she added.
The First Lady also shared photos reflecting the warm relations between the two nations, with the fusion-style sinigang serving as a symbol of the growing people-to-people connections between Filipinos and Japanese.
The gathering also highlighted how cultural exchanges — including food and shared traditions — continue to strengthen goodwill between Manila and Tokyo beyond formal diplomatic engagements.
As part of the visit scheduled from May 26 to 29, President Marcos is expected to hold a summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, where security cooperation will be among the top agenda items.
“I expect that we will be talking about many things, but of course, security cooperation will be a very important part of that discussion,” Marcos said during a roundtable discussion with Japanese media in Malacañang on Monday, May 18.
Aside from defense ties, the President said energy security will also be a priority topic during the visit amid ongoing concerns over global fuel supply disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) earlier said that President Marcos and the First Lady are scheduled to be received by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan at the Imperial Palace for a welcome ceremony, a state call, and a state banquet.
The President is also expected to meet with Japanese business groups and members of the Filipino community during the trip.
This year also marks the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan.
Japan remains among the Philippines’ key strategic and economic partners, with cooperation expanding in infrastructure, maritime security, defense, energy, trade, and economic development.
Marcos has previously described Japan as one of the Philippines’ “strongest and closest” allies in the region.
The most recent state visit to Japan by a Philippine president was conducted by former President Benigno S. Aquino III in June 2015, while Their Majesties Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko last visited the Philippines on a state visit in January 2016.

Related Tags

Marcos Japan state visit Philippines Japan relations Japanese sinigang dinner Marcos Takaichi meeting PH-Japan security cooperation
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