PH-Japan relations
ADMITTEDLY, there have been many areas of effective cooperation between impoverished Philippines and Japan, the country’s second largest trading partner.
And the two neighbors are expected to become more than friends and allies in a rapidly-changing regional and global landscape, according to various quarters.
In fact, observers said the economic and development priorities of the Philippines and Japan have been aligned since the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Today, the Filipino people, including the ordinary citizens across the country, await Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to the Philippines next year.
The forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Kishida to Manila is a welcome development as the two countries continue to bolster their defense and security cooperation.
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kasuhiko Koshikawa said Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to Manila is aimed at forging closer ties and boosting partnerships.
Likewise, Koshikawa said his country looks forward to President Marcos’ participation in the 50th ASEAN-Japan Friendship anniversary celebration in Tokyo this December.
Note that cooperation between Manila and Tokyo has tremendously flourished since the start of President Marcos’ six-year administration, which ends in 2028.
President Marcos and Prime Minister Kishida met during the former’s official visit to Japan in February 2022.
In the eyes of the Filipino people, including the ordinary citizens, enhacing our relations with Japan and the United States, our long-time ally, is a move in the right direction.
