Japan–Philippines Summit-Level Working Lunch

On September 21 commencing at 1:10 p.m. (local time) for approximately 55 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, who is visiting New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, held a working lunch with His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., President of the Republic of the Philippines. The overview of the working lunch is as follows:
 
1. At the outset, Prime Minister Kishida expressed his gratitude to President Marcos for the fact that Vice President Duterte is scheduled to attend the state funeral for former Prime Minister Abe. Prime Minister Kishida then stated that Japan values its collaboration with the Philippines, a Strategic Partner sharing fundamental values with Japan, toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” In response, President Marcos stated that the Philippines would like to strengthen the relations with Japan.
 
2. Prime Minister Kishida stated that he would like to strengthen cooperation in the fields prioritized by President Marcos such as agriculture, energy, and health, as well as in infrastructure development. The two leaders concurred on elevating the bilateral cooperation to a higher level including by further strengthening security cooperation among others.
 
3. The two leaders exchanged views and concurred on the need for further cooperation regarding regional and international affairs, such as the situation in the East and South China Seas, economic coercion, the situation in Ukraine, response to North Korea including the nuclear, missile, and abductions issues, the situation in Myanmar, disarmament and non-proliferation, and strengthening the functions of the United Nations as a whole, including UNSC reform.
 
4. In additions, the two leaders concurred to continue coordination to realize President Marcos’ visit to Japan at an early date.