President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed optimism on Friday regarding Japan’s ongoing support for the Philippines.
Marcos made these remarks during a courtesy call from Toshimitsu Motegi, a member of Japan’s House of Representatives and Secretary General of the Japan Liberal Democratic Party, held in Malacañang.
“I am happy that you have come at a time where the relations between the Philippines and Japan are [at a] stronger [level] than they have been in our entire history,” Marcos stated.
“Nonetheless, there is still much to do and continue. We look forward to your continuing support…from the legislature and the political leadership of Japan,” he added.
Marcos referenced the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to Manila last year. During this visit, Kishida addressed the Philippine Congress, advocating for trilateral cooperation between Japan, the Philippines, and the United States to ensure freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, which the Philippines refers to as the West Philippine Sea.
During his address to Congress, Kishida emphasized that the South China Sea should not be governed by force.
Motegi responded by expressing his honor in meeting the Philippine President.
“Thank you very much for taking [time off your] precious busy schedule. It is a great privilege that I recall my previous visit to you once as a Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry a decade ago and again in 2022 as a Minister of Foreign Affairs,” Motegi said.
He was accompanied by Hiroshi Kajiyama, the Executive Acting Secretary General of the Japan Liberal Democratic Party, Masanobu Kokura, the current Deputy Executive Secretary General of the Japan Liberal Democratic Party and former Minister of State for Media, Sport, and Blind Pathway, and Karen Makishima, who is also the former Minister for Digital Transformation.
“The Philippines is a neighboring country [to us], linked by the sea, and a strategic partner with whom we share values. I am delighted to see that bilateral cooperation has been steadily progressing,” Motegi said.
“There is a [also a] Japan-Philippines joint exercise in maritime domains, and we are great to see that,” Motegi added.
In July, Manila and Tokyo signed the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), which aims to enhance defense cooperation between the two countries amid rising tensions in the South China Sea.