[Provisional translation]
On May 28, commencing at 5:50 p.m. for approximately 60 minutes, Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit meeting with H.E. Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr., President of the Republic of the Philippines, who is visiting Japan as a state guest, followed by Joint Press Announcement and a dinner. In addition,the two leaders issued a joint statement outlining future cooperation between the two countries as “Comprehensive Strategic Partners.”
1. Opening Remarks
Prime Minister TAKAICHI welcomed the state visit of President Marcos in this commemorative year marking the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Philippines, and stated the desire to further strengthen cooperation with the Philippines, one of the closest of like-minded countries for Japan. In response, President Marcos expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome extended by the Japanese side and stated that bilateral relations had entered a new stage and that, taking this summit meeting as an opportunity, he would like to further strengthen the cooperative relationship.
2. Bilateral Relations
Prime Minister TAKAICHI stated that, amid an increasingly severe international situation, it is extremely important that the two countries as neighbors across the sea, sharing fundamental values and principles, strengthen their cooperation in realizing an updated Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). In addition, the two leaders decided to elevate their bilateral relations to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the first of its kind for the Philippines, to show their determination to continue strengthening bilateral relations in a sustained and multilayered manner without being swayed by changes in the international environment.
(1) Security Cooperation
Taking into account the progress in security and defense cooperation in recent years, the two leaders decided to commence negotiations on an agreement on the protection of classified military information in order to strengthen the foundation for further cooperation. In addition, President Marcos spoke positively of Japan’s revision of the Defense Equipment and Technology Transfer System, and the two leaders decided to accelerate discussions between the defense authorities toward the transfer of defense equipment, including Abukuma-class destroyers and TC-90 aircraft. Furthermore, the two leaders confirmed that they would continue to advance cooperation through OSA (Official Security Assistance) and decided on the early convening of the next Japan-Philippines ‘2+2’ (Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting).
(2) Maritime Cooperation
Prime Minister TAKAICHI expressed her intention to continue capacity-building activities for the Philippine Coast Guard including through the provision of patrol vessels and joint training from the standpoint of ensuring maritime safety and upholding the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific region, to which President Marcos expressed his appreciation.
(3) Economic and Development Cooperation
a. Economic Partnership
The two leaders confirmed that, in order to further deepen economic cooperation between Japan and the Philippines and between Japan and the ASEAN, including the strengthening of resilience in economies and supply chains across the entire Asian region, the two countries will advance deliberations toward upgrading the Japan–Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) and the ASEAN–Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) Agreement going forward. In addition, Prime Minister TAKAICHI stated that she welcomes the Philippines’ request to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and expressed Japan’s support for the early commencement of the accession process. Furthermore, the two leaders expressed their expectation that investment and economic exchanges will be further promoted through the New Tax Convention between Japan and the Republic of the Philippines signed today.
b. Energy, Economic Security and Digital Cooperation
Furthermore, in light of the recent energy situation, Prime Minister TAKAICHI announced that, under “POWERR Asia,” Japan will step up its support to strengthen the resilience of supply chains for medical supplies, etc., and for the development of the Philippines’s national oil reserve system and ASEAN’s joint oil stockpiling arrangement. The two leaders affirmed the importance of promoting energy security, economic growth, and decarbonization simultaneously in the current circumstances, and decided to further promote concrete cooperation under AZEC (Asia Zero Emission Community).
The two leaders also discussed economic security, expressed concern over all forms of economic coercion, and confirmed that they will strengthen coordination toward bolstering supply chain resilience, including critical minerals. In addition, the two leaders exchanged views on fields of advanced technologies such as AI and digital, and confirmed that they would advance, through public–private efforts, cooperation that contributes to enhancing both countries’ AI capabilities and cooperation toward realizing the “FOIP Digital Corridor Concept”.
c. Development Cooperation etc.
On the understanding that high-quality infrastructure development through ODA (Official Development Assistance) contributes to the economic growth of the Philippines and strengthens regional stability and self-sustainability, both leaders affirmed to promote cooperation on strengthening connectivity in the Philippines a well as on disaster risk reduction, healthcare, human resource development that will serve as a bridge between the two countries, and in the Luzon Economic Corridor.
Both leaders also confirmed that, while coordinating between the public and private sectors, they will also deepen cooperation in the fields of space and food security.
Furthermore, Prime Minister TAKAICHI expressed Japan’s unwavering commitment to the peace process in Mindanao. In response, President Marcos expressed appreciation for Japan’s continuous support.
3. Regional Issues
(1) The two leaders expressed serious concern over the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, and reaffirmed their strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the peacefully established status quo by force or coercion. Prime Minister TAKAICHI expressed renewed support for ASEAN’s unity and centrality, and conveyed Japan’s appreciation for the initiatives being advanced by the Philippines as this year’s ASEAN Chair, including its response to the situation in Myanmar. The two leaders also decided to further strengthen coordination among allies and like-minded countries, including Japan-U.S.-Philippines cooperation, in order to further advance efforts that contribute to the peace and stability of the region.
(2) The two leaders also discussed the situation in the Middle East. Regarding the situation surrounding Iran, the two leaders confirmed the importance of securing free and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and a stable energy supply chain, and decided to continue diplomatic efforts to achieve the early de-escalation of the situation.
(3) The two leaders shared deep concern over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs and malicious cyber activities, confirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea, and reaffirmed the importance of resolving the abductions issue immediately.
(4) Prime Minister TAKAICHI expressied Japan’s support for the Philippines in the election for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. The two leaders confirmed that they would deepen cooperation in the international arena.
4. Documents signed during President Marcos’s state visit to Japan
Prior to the Joint Press Announcement, the two leaders witnessed the signing of the New Tax Convention between Japan and the Republic of the Philippines. In addition, taking advantage of this state visit, the two governments reached agreement on and signed the following documents:
・Exchange of Notes on Grant Aid for the Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) program
・Participation Contract for International Horticultural Expo 2027, Yokohama, Japan
・Memorandum of Cooperation on Agriculture
・Letter of Intent on AI Cooperation
・Joint Declaration of Interest on Space cooperation
・Joint Statement on Stockpile Cooperation
*A Memorandum of Cooperation on Water Resources Management and a Memorandum of Cooperation on Personal Information Protection are also scheduled to be signed in the near future.