Tokyo, Japan
December 15-18, 2023

Set to reaffirm the Philippines’ positions on current international issues and advance its interests, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. embarks on a visit to Japan to participate in the Commemorative Summit of the 50th Year of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – Japan Friendship and Cooperation on December 15-18, 2023.

In view of the milestone celebration of 50 years of ASEAN-Japan relations and cooperation, the Commemorative Summit features three sessions that focus within the ASEAN-Japan framework.

The first session centers on Japan’s contribution to ASEAN’s community-building efforts, as well as its consistent support for ASEAN Centrality and rules-based international order. This is followed by ‘Heart to Heart’ Partnership across Generations and finally the Co-Creation of Economy and Society of the Future.

The Summit also highlights the conferment of Comprehensive Partner Status to Japan that solidify its pivotal role in the ASEAN region.

The President’s visit also serves as an opportune time in strengthening the Philippines-Japan relations, which formally began in 1956.

Japan is one of the Philippines’ three strategic partners with 264 bilateral agreements, including the transfer of defense equipment and technology, infrastructure and development of Mindanao, among others. It is also the country’s second largest trading partner in 2022 after recording a total trade of US$23.49 billion, which is up by 10.9 percent from the US$21.83 billion recorded in 2021.

In terms of Official Development Assistance (ODA), Japan is the country’s largest source of ODA with a share of 40.49 percent or US$12,923.99 million of total portfolio, as well as the second largest source of grant assistance accounting for 28.93 percent or US$577.72 million of total grants portfolio.

Japan also serves as home to 331,523 registered Filipinos.

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