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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider State visit to Japan 'essential' amid global challenges, Marcos says

State visit to Japan 'essential' amid global challenges, Marcos says

Published May 26, 2026 02:54 pm

At A Glance

  • President Marcos said his state visit to Japan is "essential" amid growing global challenges and aims to strengthen Philippines-Japan ties
  • The trip will focus on cooperation in security, trade, investment, energy, maritime affairs, and regional peace
  • Marcos is expected to hold talks with Japanese leaders, sign key agreements, and meet business leaders in Tokyo
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., together with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, was given departure honors on Tuesday afternoon, May 26, before leaving for a four-day state visit to Japan aboard a chartered flight. (Mark Balmores)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., together with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, was given departure honors on Tuesday afternoon, May 26, before leaving for a four-day state visit to Japan aboard a chartered flight. (Mark Balmores)
President Marcos departed for his first state visit to Japan on Tuesday afternoon, May 26, stressing that the trip to Tokyo is an “essential” undertaking amid increasingly challenging global issues.
The plane carrying Marcos and his delegation left the Villamor Airbase at 1:36 p.m.
In his departure speech, the President emphasized the significance of his four-day trip to Japan, where he aims to advance the Philippines' multifaceted cooperation with Japan, its first and oldest strategic partner.  
"This state visit to Japan is essential amid an increasingly challenging and evolving global environment," he said.
"It forms part of a broader foreign policy agenda to forge closer political ties, stronger defense and security cooperation, and more enduring economic partnerships with major countries in the region in order to advance the interests of the Filipino people, while promoting regional peace, stability, and prosperity," he added.
Marcos further said that the visit seeks to strengthen the bonds of friendship with a close neighbor, a like-minded,  future-oriented partner in both prosperity and uncertainty, such as today’s ongoing oil crisis.  
"During this trip, I hope to harness the positive trajectory of our relations with Japan in all of our enriching engagements.   This administration is keen on working closely with Japan in bringing our Strengthened Strategic Partnership to greater heights," he said.
The President said he will actively cultivate collaboration in priority areas such as agriculture, energy and decarbonization, maritime cooperation, trade and investment, infrastructure, defense and security, space technology, and the development of Mindanao.  
"I will be advancing Philippine priorities, and we will discuss where future synergies and complementary interests converge with those of Japan in the  West Philippine Sea, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, in ASEAN, our cooperation also with the United States, and the Philippines’ candidature to the United Nations Security Council," Marcos said.

Order of Lakandula, Gabriela Silang

During the trip, the Chief Executive and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos will have an imperial audience with the Japanese Emperor and Empress.
Marcos disclosed that he will confer the Order of Lakandula, with the rank of Supremo, upon the Emperor, and the Order of Gabriela Silang upon the Empress, in recognition of their contributions to Japan-Philippines ties.
These are among the highest civilian honors in the Philippines.

Security, economic ties

Marcos is expected to have a "comprehensive discussion" with Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae on various issues and to explore ways to strengthen bilateral coordination and cooperation, from security and economic relations to regional, global peace, and prosperity. 
He and the Prime Minister are also expected to also witness the signing and exchange of important agreement in trade and investment.
"We will also be announcing key bilateral initiatives in security and maritime cooperation," Marcos said.
Citing several assistance extended by Japan to the Philippines, Marcos believes the two governments "can further expand" their security, economic, and development cooperation in order to enhance Manila's national defense posture and to uplift the standard of living of Filipinos  in different parts of the country.
Aside from meeting high-ranking Japanese officials, the President is also expected to hold meetings with Japan’s business leaders to promote trade and investment opportunities in the Philippines. 
He will be joined by his economic team and  key private sector representatives.
Upon his arrival in Tokyo on Tuesday, Marcos will meet the Filipino community.
Before leaving, Marcos designated Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Department of Agrarian (DAR) Secretary Conrado Estrella III, and Department of Education (DepEd) Sonny Angara as the government caretakers while he is away.
Marcos will be back in the country on May 29.

Related Tags

President Marcos State Visit Philippines-Japan Japan security economic ties
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