Tokyo: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s visit to Japan will spotlight the strong maritime partnership between the Philippines and Japan, particularly the growing presence of Filipino seafarers in Japanese-owned vessels.
According to Philippines News Agency, in a Bagong Pilipinas interview on Tuesday, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan said discussions during the visit will include engagements with Japan's shipping industry, where Filipino workers continue to play a central role in global maritime operations. She emphasized that Filipino seafarers form a major share of Japan-linked cadets, reflecting the strong trust placed by international employers in Filipino maritime training and competency.
'We would also have the opportunity to meet with the shipping industry, dito na 70 percent ng kadete sa Japanese-owned vessels ay Pilipino po. Ganoon po ang kanilang tiwala sa ating marino. Malaking market po (here where 70 percent of the cadets on Japanese-owned vessels are Filipino. That's how much they trust our seafarers. It's a large market), as I said, over 70 percent,' she said.
The presidential plane carrying the President took off from Villamor Air Base in Pasay City at 1:36 p.m. on Tuesday, marking his first state visit to Japan since his official and working visits to Tokyo and Osaka in 2023 and 2025, respectively. Caunan said that central to every state visit by Marcos is his meeting with the Filipino community, and in Japan, he is expected to again meet with members of the "FilCom."
'So, makikita dito yung mensahe ng ating pangulo. Lagi niyang sinasabi sa kaniyang mga talumpati before the FilCom how proud he is of our OFWs at tuloy-tuloy lang ang kanyang direktiba sa amin ni Secretary Hans Cacdac na ibigay ang buong serbisyo, make our services accessible at makatao para sa ating mga kababayan, mga OFWs, at siyempre ang kanilang pamilya (So you can see here the message of our President. He always says in his speeches before the FilCom how proud he is of our overseas Filipino workers and his directive to us and [Migrant Workers] Secretary Hans Cacdac to provide full service, make our services accessible and humane for our fellow countrymen, the OFWs, and, of course, their families),' she said.
Marcos' Japan engagement comes as the Philippine government continues to strengthen labor diplomacy and expand overseas employment pathways, particularly in high-demand sectors, such as shipping. Caunan said the administration's directive remains focused on improving access to services and ensuring humane treatment and protection for overseas workers. She said the visit reflects both the economic importance of maritime labor and the Philippines' role as a global supplier of skilled maritime professionals.
'Ibigay ang buong serbisyo, make our services accessible at makatao para sa ating mga kababayan, mga OFWs, at siyempre ang kanilang pamilya (Provide full service, make our services accessible and humane for our fellow citizens, OFWs, and, of course, their families),' Caunan said, echoing the President's instruction to the OWWA and the Department of Migrant Workers.
