MANILA, Philippines - Discussions relating to national security cooperation, maritime law enforcement, including the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), is expected to be discussed during the summit meeting, in line with Japan’s Prime Miniter ISHIBA Shigeru’s visit to the Philippines from April 29 to 30.
In a statement, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines ENDO Kazuya said that Prime Minister ISHIBA’s visit to Manila marks his first bilateral visit to the country as prime minister, and which he will be holding discussions with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
“The summit meeting with President Marcos will involve discussions on various matters, some of which relate to national security cooperation and maritime law enforcement cooperation. These include the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement, signed during the 2+2 Meeting last July 2024 and currently being prepared to enter into force, the transfer of air surveillance radar systems, and the Official Security Assistance extended by Japan to the Philippines,” Amb. Endo said.
“To further these cooperative aspects, we look forward to opportunities to deepen collaborations in such areas as logistics and information,” he added.
The topic of international affairs will also be discussed, especially since cooperation between Japan and the Philippines in achieving a Free and Open Indo-Pacific has grown its importance in recent years, the Ambassador confirmed.
“The discussions will further promote our security and defense cooperation in order to maintain and strengthen rules-based international order and enhance collaborations on various matters. To this day, Japan and the Philippines have seized various opportunities as maritime nations and strategic partners who share the same fundamental values and principles,” he stated.
Kazuya also mentioned Japan’s support for the Philippines in the fields of telecommunication through Open RAN and undersea cables, infrastructure development of railways and highways, and energy in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
He added that Japan continues to contribute to combating climate change, improving agricultural productivity and disaster preparedness in the Philippines. The Mindanao Peace Process also remains an important agenda for both our countries.
This is in line with Japan’s support to the Philippines, and President Marcos’ goal for the Philippines to become “one of the world’s upper middle-income countries.”
Also, Japan’s envoy mentioned the Philippines’ participation in the 2025 Osaka World Expo, as it finally opened its doors on April 13.
“The event presents a timely opportunity for the Philippines to showcase its charm to the world through the expo. We would like to continue working together with our Filipino counterparts in creating opportunities to strengthen the bonds between Japan and the Philippines,” Endo said.
Against the backdrop of the latest global development of trade issues, Endo stressed the importance of both countries to exchange views on such matters accordingly.
“I believe that Japan and the Philippines, both sharing the same values, should continue to cooperate for strengthening the global economy based on the multilateral trading system,” Endo added.
Prime Minister Ishiba’s visit to the Philippines comes a year before the 70th anniversary of the normalization of relations between the two countries.
