Manila: The Philippines and Japan have entered what President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. described as the 'golden age' of their bilateral relations, as they marked a decade since forging a strengthened strategic partnership. This was highlighted during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at Malaca±an Palace.
According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos expressed optimism that their discussions would yield positive outcomes in areas such as economic cooperation, development, people-to-people ties, and security relationships. Marcos emphasized the significance of Ishiba's visit, noting it underscores the stability and mutual respect that characterizes the relationship between the two nations.
The Philippines and Japan are set to commemorate the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2026. Their diplomatic relations were formally established on July 23, 1956, and were elevated to a 'strengthened strategic partnership' in June 2015 through a joint declaration by then-President Benigno Aquino III and then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
President Marcos conveyed his hopes for further strengthening the bilateral relations, highlighting the upcoming milestone of the 70th year of normalized diplomatic ties as an opportunity to lay the groundwork for future collaboration across various sectors.
Prime Minister Ishiba, in his remarks, indicated his intentions to discuss a range of topics with Marcos, including national security, economic matters, and regional and international affairs. He emphasized the shared values and challenges faced by both nations, especially in areas such as security, economy, and disaster prevention.
In addition to the bilateral talks, Ishiba and his spouse, Ishiba Yoshiko, were welcomed with arrival honors at Malaca±an Palace. The visit included signing the presidential guest book before the official meeting with President Marcos. This visit marks Ishiba's first official trip to the Philippines, following a previous meeting with Marcos in Vientiane, Laos, during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summits in October 2024.
