State Dining Room, Malacañan Palace
November 3, 2023

“Our meeting today builds upon the momentum of the recent past and we look forward to expanding cooperation with you, especially in key areas such as economic development, development cooperation and security cooperation,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. affirmed as he discussed ways to further advance the long-standing relations between the Philippines and Japan in a bilateral meeting during the visit of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to the country.

The Japanese Prime Minister, together with his delegation, is in the Philippines for a two-day Official Visit from 3-4 November 2023.

In his statement, President Marcos Jr. expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Kishida for the visit, saying that this is significant in the commemoration of the 67th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between their two countries.

“While we continue to enhance our bilateral relations, I am pleased that the trilateral engagements at various fronts among the Philippines, Japan and the United States have commenced this year. I look forward to continuing this form of engagement and to expanding it to cover the other equally important areas,” the President said.

In response, Prime Minister Kishida highlighted the Philippines as one of Japan’s strategic partners that share fundamental principles and values. He further expressed willingness to advance this relation amidst ongoing international issues.

“We would like to strengthen our cooperation with the Philippines to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based in the rule of law to ensure a world where human dignity is protected,” the Japanese Prime Minister conveyed.

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