Photo from the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines facebook page
In a rare presidential act, President Marcos personally went to the Japan Embassy in Taguig City to attend a reception for Japan’s National Foundation Day, celebrated on Feb. 11, and the public holiday marking the 63rd birthday of Emperor Naruhito on Feb. 23.
Philippine presidents do not usually attend such embassy functions, which are usually delegated to officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs, but Marcos apparently felt the need for a personal touch after his successful working visit to Japan from Feb. 8 to Feb. 12.
In his toast to the emperor, the President said Manila’s strategic partnership with Tokyo “is indeed stronger than ever,” adding that the Philippines is committed to “actively sustaining the positive trajectory” of its relations with Japan.
For peace and progress
“Japan has been one of our steadfast partners in the efforts to realize the Philippines’ transformative agenda in infrastructure, in social inclusion, and in defense,” Marcos said before an audience which included high-ranking government officials and diplomats. According to him, “the breadth and depth of our engagement with Japan is a partnership for peace and progress, not only for Japan but certainly for the Philippines.”
He thanked Japan for its role in boosting the Philippine economy, saying that Tokyo has remained to be among Manila’s top partners in terms of official development assistance, foreign direct investment, tourism and trade.
“I also take this opportunity to reiterate our appreciation for Japan’s unwavering support for peace and development in Mindanao,” he said.
For his part, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa said Tokyo would continue to boost its defense ties with Manila amid tensions in the region such as the maritime dispute in the West Philippine Sea.
He said the world has been facing “unprecedented challenges arising from the pandemic and geopolitical shifts.”