Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to visit the Philippines this year, according to its top diplomat in Manila, aiming to further strengthen defense ties in the wake of global and regional security developments.
At the reception to mark the 69th anniversary of Japan Self Defense Forces, Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa said Kishida’s planned trip “before the end of the year” was meant “to forge even closer ties and lasting partnerships.”
Tokyo also looked forward to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos’ return to Japan in December for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Asean-Japan Friendship, he said.
Koshikawa said the world was currently at “critical crossroads in the face of major challenges,” amid the Ukraine war and escalating tensions over the Taiwan Strait, which called for “urgent efforts to address these grave security concerns.”
In line with these developments, Japan is “ardently” pursuing closer ties with the Philippines, in realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific, he said.
“With the swiftly changing tides in the global environment, the defense and security cooperation between Japan and the Philippines is becoming all the more significant. We are directing all our focus in generating concrete measures that would further deepen our defense partnership,” Koshikawa said.
Marcos made an official working visit to Japan in February, as Manila sought closer security ties with its East Asian neighbor amid concerns over China’s increasing assertiveness in the West Philippine Sea and over Taiwan. INQ