DEFENSE and security, maritime cooperation, energy concerns, and economic matters are among the key agenda items expected to be discussed during the upcoming meeting in Japan this week between President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday.
President Marcos and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos are leaving Tuesday for Japan for the President’s first State Visit from May 26 to 29 upon the invitation of the Japanese government, said DFA Spokesperson Analyn Ratonel at a Palace press briefing.
“Napakahalaga po ng biyaheng ito sapagkat ito ang pagkakataon para makapag-usap si Pangulong Marcos Jr. at Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi tungkol sa kooperasyon ng Pilipinas at Japan sa larangan ng seguridad, maritime and defense, ekonomiya, energy resilience and decarbonization, at emerging and future-oriented sectors,” Ratonel said.
“Inaasahan din na mag-uusap ang dalawang leaders tungkol sa mga regional and global issues na nakaaapekto sa Pilipinas at Japan gaya ng ASEAN at challenges sa Indo-Pacific Region, at developments in the Middle East,” she added.
The President will hold a summit meeting with Prime Minister Takaichi, where the two leaders are expected to discuss Philippines-Japan cooperation, in which they are expected to announce new agreements on defense, trade and investment, and human resources.
“Naka-schedule din ang Pangulo to meet with Japanese business groups and members of the Filipino Community in Japan,” Ratonel said.
The President and the First Lady will be received by Their Majesties, The Emperor and Empress at the Imperial Palace for a welcome ceremony and a state call, which will be followed by a state banquet in honor of the President and the First Lady.
During their audience, the First Couple and the Imperial Couple will mutually confer and exchange decorations.
The Philippines and Japan commemorate this year the 70th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations.