Departure Statement by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his State Visit to Japan

Thank you, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.

Our – the members of the Cabinet that are here today; Pasay City Lone District Representative Antonino Calixto; Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner and the Major Service Commanders; Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan; Philippine National Police Chief 
Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.; Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano; and of course, First Lady Louise Araneta – Marcos; my fellow workers in government; ladies and gentlemen; good afternoon.

Upon the invitation of the Government of Japan, 
I shall now undertake a four-day State Visit to Japan starting today.

It is my first State Visit to Japan, following my official and working visits to Tokyo and Osaka 
in 2023 and 2025, where the Philippine Government advanced our multifaceted cooperation with Japan, the Philippines’ first and oldest Strategic Partner.

Significantly, this State Visit will coincide
with this year’s commemoration of the 
70th anniversary of the normalization of 
diplomatic relations between our two countries.

Indeed, the ties that bind the Philippines and Japan have become ever stronger over the decades, guided by the transformative spirit within the Filipino and Japanese peoples, and driven by 
the common desire for development persistently pursued by our forebears.

My father took a similar fruitful visit to Japan, both in 1966 and in 1977, expanding our bilateral ties 
and laying the groundwork for the eventual establishment of our now present Strategic Partnership.

This State Visit to Japan is essential amid an increasingly challenging and evolving global environment.

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.

This visit seeks to further strengthen the bonds of friendship with a close neighbor, like-minded, 
and future-oriented just like us in many ways, 
and a most reliable partner in times of both prosperity and times of 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.

I will be actively cultivating collaboration in priority areas that we have identified together such as: agriculture, energy and decarbonization, 
maritime cooperation, trade and investment, infrastructure, defense and security, 
space technology, and also 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.

The First Lady and I will have the honor of having an Imperial Audience with Their Majesties The Emperor and The Empress of Japan.

The First Lady and I will also have the honor to be conferred by His Majesty the Emperor with two of the most prestigious Japanese awards—
the First Lady with the Grand Cordon of the
Order of the Precious Crown, and I, with the
Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum.

In turn, I shall confer upon His Majesty the Emperor 
the Order of Lakandula with the rank of Supremo,
and Her Majesty the Empress, the Order of Gabriela Silang, both of which are [among] the highest civilian honors in the Philippines, in recognition of Their Majesties’ contributions to strengthening Philippines-Japan ties.

This exchange of honors symbolizes the 
strong friendship and enduring goodwill between our two nations and peoples as we reach another milestone in our relations.

During my visit, I will also be meeting with Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae.

This will be my fourth engagement with the new
Prime Minister, following our face-to-face meeting in KL (Kuala Lumpur) on 26 October 2025, our phone call on 24th of March 2026, our AZEC Plus Online Summit on 15 April of this year, where we discussed a very wide range of bilateral and regional issues.

The Prime Minister and I will have 
a comprehensive discussion on various issues 
and explore ways to strengthen our bilateral coordination and cooperation, 
from our security and economic relations 
to our steadfast commitment to regional, global peace and prosperity.

The Prime Minister and I also expect to 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.

Our defense and security partnership with Japan has deepened in recent years through the forging 
of new agreements such as the Reciprocal Access Agreement signed in 2024 and the 
Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement signed this year.

Japan has likewise extended grants under its OSA or Official Security Assistance programs 
in the years 2023, 2024, and 2025, that support the
AFP Modernization Program.

Japan has been a major bilateral trade and 
official development partner, consistent in its commitment to uphold the same values aligned with our economic and developmental priorities.

Japan is also the first country which signed a bilateral free trade agreement with the Philippines through the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement or PJEPA.

Japan has extended assistance to our
Build Better More infra programs,
such as the first phase of the Metro Manila 
Subway Project, the construction of the 
North-to-South Commuter Railway Project that will connect Malolos and Tutuban, the rehabilitation 
of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3, and the construction of the Central Mindanao High Standard Highway Project that will connect Cagayan de Oro and Malaybalay.

Japan has likewise extended support in the development of Mindanao through grants in projects such as the establishment of the Basilan, and Sulu, and Tawi- Tawi Wireless Backbone Network.

I believe we can further expand our security, economic, and development cooperation in order to enhance our national defense posture and to
uplift the standard of living of Filipinos 
in different parts of the country.

As with all my other bilateral visits, I shall hold meetings with Japan’s business leaders to promote trade and investment opportunities here in the Philippines.

I shall be joined by my economic team and 
key private sector representatives—our staunch partners in growing the Philippine economy.

I also eagerly anticipate meeting with the vibrant Filipino community in Japan, who have been contributing to building a better Philippine nation by showcasing the best of Filipino spirit through their hard work and exemplary character.

Thank you very much. Maraming salamat po.

[applause]

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