President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Tuesday lauded Japan for its contributions to the Philippines, underscoring the country as a “reliable and steadfast” partner in the region, especially in the economic sector.

“With the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA) that we have in place, we continue to look for ways to strengthen our business ties with Japan to broaden economic opportunities for Filipinos,” he said during the Joint Leaders’ Statement.

“Japan is one of the top bilateral partners that we have for trade, investment, and development cooperation,” he added.

Marcos called the Philippines’ partnership with Japan a “gold standard” as Japan’s development assistance continues to support maritime domain awareness, infrastructure, food security, climate change adaptability, digital transformation, agriculture, space, cyber technology, health, energy, and many others.

The President also highlighted Japan’s key roles in the development of the Philippines.

“Our development cooperation has also played a significant role in the Mindanao Peace Process, which will uplift the lives of Filipinos and promotes economic competitiveness in Mindanao,” Marcos said.

He noted that as the Philippines is the first recipient of Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA), the assistance has supported upgrades for the country’s security agencies and the Department of National Defense.

“Japan has been of great assistance in helping us achieve our aspiration for peace and friendship with all nations with strength and with integrity,” Marcos said.

“I look forward to continuing our Strengthened Strategic Partnership with Japan, a country that shares our ideals and aspirations of upholding democratic institutions and a rules-based international order,” he concluded.

Ishiba highlights shared agri-focus

For his part, Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru reaffirmed his country’s commitments to the Philippines across multiple areas of cooperation.

Ishiba reiterated the Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) between Japan and the Philippines, focusing on security.

“We also confirmed to start the government-to-government discussion on potential conclusion of security of information agreement in the future,” he said.

“In addition, we affirmed on the importance of the Japan, the Philippines and the United States trilateral cooperation,” he added.

As Marcos expressed his desire for the Philippines to reach upper middle-income status, Japan offered its support through a package covering telecommunications, energy, mineral resources, infrastructure, and disaster risk reduction among others.

Ishiba also noted similarities between his leadership history and that of Marcos, as both were deeply involved in agriculture. The Japanese prime minister previously served as Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, while Marcos concurrently held the post of Secretary of Agriculture during his presidency.

“For such a perspective, I was able to have a good exchange of views with His Excellency. So, in the agriculture arena as well. I very much hope that we can further deepen our cooperation,” Ishiba said.

Ishiba also emphasized Japan and the Philippines’ cooperation in realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“I hope that our two nations can continuously communicate with each other to oppose attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China Seas by force or coercion and to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific based on Rule of Law,” Ishiba stressed.

While acknowledging ongoing concerns over reciprocal tariffs imposed by the United States, Ishiba said Japan would listen to voices from the Philippines to find better economic solutions.

“We discussed the tariff measures taken by the United States as well as the impact felt on the multilateral free trade regime and the world economy because of the reciprocal retaliations seen with the United States and China,” Ishiba said.

“Many Japanese companies have been playing a role in the local economy here in the Philippines. I conveyed to President Marcos that I will listen carefully to the voices so that they will be able to bring forth better solutions,” he added.