Published May 26, 2026 2:50pm
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday departed the country for a four-day state visit to Japan.
The plane carrying the President and his delegation left Manila at 1:36 p.m.
During his departure message, Marcos said his visit aims to strengthen the ties between the Philippines and Japan.
“I will be actively cultivating collaboration in priority areas that we have identified together, such as agriculture, energy and decarbonization, maritime cooperation, trade and investment, infrastructure, defense and security, space technology, and also the development of Mindanao,” Marcos said.
“We will discuss where future synergies and complementary interests converge with those of Japan in the West Philippine Sea, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, ASEAN, our cooperation also with the United States, and the Philippines’ candidature to the United Nations Security Council,” he added.
Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos will embark on a state visit to Japan from May 26 to 29, 2026, at the invitation of the Japanese government.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Education Secretary Sonny Angara, and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III serve as the country’s caretakers while the President is in Japan.
The President’s state visit will coincide with the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan following World War II.
Marcos also said he would receive the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum from Emperor Naruhito, while the First Lady would receive the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown from Empress Masako.
“In turn, I shall confer upon His Majesty the Emperor the Order of Lakandula with the rank of Supremo, and Her Majesty the Empress the Order of Gabriela Silang, both of which are the highest civilian honors in the Philippines, in recognition of Their Majesties’ contributions to strengthening Philippine-Japan ties,” Marcos said.
During a Palace briefing on Monday, Foreign Affairs spokesperson Analyn Ratonel said the key agenda for the Japan visit includes maritime security, defense cooperation, energy security, and investments, which will be discussed in bilateral talks between Marcos and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
They are expected to discuss the future trajectory of the Philippines and Japan’s strengthened strategic partnership and announce bilateral initiatives in security and maritime cooperation.
The President will also meet with Japan’s business leaders and the Filipino community.
In a previous interview with Japanese media, Marcos said he would discuss energy security during his state visit.
“We will again try to engage Japan… as Japan has now taken a more active role when it comes to the subject of energy and the energy supply,” the President said. —VBL, GMA News
AloJapan.com