PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos depart from Villamor Airbase in Pasay City on Monday, 11 March 2024 for his Working Visit to Germany and State Visit to the Czech Republic.
Noel B. Pabalate / PPA POOL
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has departed for Osaka, Japan, on a working visit that includes attending the World Expo 2025, holding business meetings, and engaging with the Filipino community, Malacañang announced on Thursday, 19 June 2025.
According to Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro, the President's itinerary centers on visiting the Philippine Pavilion at the Osaka Expo, which showcases the country’s culture, landscapes, and creative identity.
“The President's visit there is to visit and see the Philippine Pavilion at the World Expo in Osaka 2025 because it highlights, of course, our rich culture and our beautiful landscapes. This is one of the parts so that we can further expand tourism in the country,” she said.
“In addition to this, our President will have business meetings and he will dedicate time to our kababayans in the said country,” she added.
Castro confirmed that the visit is classified as a “working visit,” with the President expected to return to the Philippines over the weekend — though no specific return date was provided.
In Marcos’ absence, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III, and Education Secretary Sonny Angara will serve as caretakers of the government. This marks the first time Angara is part of the executive committee overseeing operations during the President’s overseas travel. In previous trips, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla filled this role.
Castro explained that it is the President’s prerogative in choosing the caretakers of the country.
While the Palace confirmed that Marcos traveled with a small delegation, it has yet to release the list of accompanying officials.
The President’s trip follows the official visit of Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru to Manila in April, during which the Japanese leader personally invited Marcos to attend the Osaka Kansai Expo.
The Philippine Pavilion, titled “Woven,” was designed by Carlo Calma Consultancy Inc., in partnership with Japanese firm Cat Inc. It features over 1,000 woven rattan strands and more than 200 handwoven panels, symbolizing the Philippines' interconnectedness with nature, culture, and community.
