MANILA – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to leave the country this week, this time to attend the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)-Japan Relations.
It will be his second visit to Tokyo this year.
“The President is leaving on the 15th for Tokyo to attend the 50th anniversary of Asean-Japan Relations,” Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Daniel Espiritu said in a pre-departure briefing in Malacañang on Monday.
He said Marcos’ visit is important given that Japan is “one of the most dynamic partners” of the Philippines.
The visit will provide the Chief Executive the chance to tackle issues in security such as defense and transnational crime, and mutual legal assistance, mutual economic activities, and cultural and people-to-people activities.
“It’s a whole gamut of relations, and they were able to sustain and develop it through the years such that this year, they were declared comprehensive strategic partner of Asean,” Espiritu said.
He added that one of the objectives of the summit is the announcement that Japan is a strategic partner of Asean.
Marcos is likely to have a face-to-face meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Espiritu confirmed that the President will attend a dinner reception with the Prime Minister at the State Guest House on December 16.
The summit proper will begin on December 17, where several issues are expected to be tackled, including the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea.
