Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi is set to make an official visit to the Philippines next week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Friday.

According to the DFA, Iwaya will visit Manila from 14 to 15 January upon the invitation of his Filipino counterpart, Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo.

“Secretary Manalo and Foreign Minister Iwaya will hold a bilateral meeting to discuss political, defense, security, economic and development cooperation, as well as other areas of mutual concern,” the agency said in a statement on Friday.

The two nations’ top diplomats are also expected to exchange views on regional issues as well as international developments.

“Amid an increasingly complex security environment, they are expected to reaffirm the mutual commitment to further enhancing the ‘Strengthened Strategic Partnership’ between the two countries and to seize new opportunities for cooperation,” the DFA said.

In 2026, the Philippines and Japan will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the normalization of their bilateral relations.

In July 2024, the two countries signed a Reciprocal Access Agreement, which will firmly contribute towards maintaining a secure and peaceful Asia-Pacific.