The Philippines is looking to secure an endorsement from Japan to support its bid to become a member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) free trade agreement (FTA) during President Marcos’ upcoming state visit to Tokyo.

“We [will] request an endorsement to the CPTPP,” Trade Secretary Cristina Roque told reporters when asked about her plans for the President’s visit to Japan next week.

Roque said she will push Japan to endorse the country’s application to CPTPP in support of its accession process, which remains pending.

The Philippines submitted its application to join CPTPP in August 2025 and was acknowledged as one of four countries compliant with the trade bloc’s high standards and commitments in a ministerial statement issued in November last year.

The statement noted that the accession process for the Philippines will commence this year, if possible. This is the same status granted to aspiring members such as Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

It remains to be seen whether an official endorsement could make the Philippines’ bid to join the 12-member trade bloc a priority this year. However, it is important to note that Japan plays an influential role in CPTPP as its largest economy.

If the Philippines manages to become a CPTPP member, this would provide unprecedented market access for the country’s exports to the bloc’s members, including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam, and the United Kingdom (UK).

Roque said the government also plans to push for a review of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) during the President’s state visit.

Last February, Roque said there is a need to amend JPEPA to address remaining trade hurdles, including tariffs imposed on Philippine bananas.

At present, Japan levies an eight-percent tariff on bananas from the Philippines during the October-to-March period, and a higher duty of 18 percent from April to September.

While the Philippines remains the largest banana supplier to Japan, demand has been declining in recent years as other countries with lower tariffs flood the market with their exports.

If JPEPA is amended to provide more preferential tariff treatment for banana exports, Roque said this would clear the path for the Philippines to reclaim its position as the world’s largest banana exporter.

Last year, the Philippines was the second-largest exporter of the commodity, behind Ecuador.

Prior to the state visit to Japan, Roque will be in China for the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting from May 22 to 23.