By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba are set to hold discussions on security and maritime law enforcement cooperation, including global trade issues during the Japanese leader’s visit to Manila next week.
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuya Endo said Friday that this summit will reaffirm Manila and Tokyo’s commitment to a partnership anchored on peace and prosperity.
Ishiba, who assumed the position in September, will travel to the country on April 29 to 30, marking his first bilateral visit to the Philippines.
Endo said the two leaders will discuss the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement, transfer of air surveillance radar systems, and the Official Security Assistance extended by Japan to the Philippines.
“To further these cooperative aspects, we look forward to opportunities to deepen collaborations in such areas as logistics and information,” the envoy said in a statement, without elaborating.
Earlier, Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun reported that the two government are in the final phase in coordinating the signing of a defense deal called the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA).
Endo said the summit will also promote security and defense cooperation to “maintain and strengthen rules-based international order and enhance collaborations on various matters.”
“To this day, Japan and the Philippines have seized various opportunities as maritime nations and strategic partners who share the same fundamental values and principles,” he said.
Endo then highlighted the need for both countries to exchange views on emerging global trade issues.
“I believe that Japan and the Philippines, both sharing the same values, should continue to cooperate for strengthening the global economy based on the multilateral trading system,” he said.
US President Donald Trump earlier imposed sweeping global tariffs, including a 10-percent baseline tariff that blankets both Japan and the Philippines.
Endo said Japan backs the Philippines’ goal to achieve upper middle-income status and promised support in telecommunication through Open RAN and undersea cables, infrastructure development of railways and highways, and energy in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Japan, he said, also continues to contribute to combating climate change, improving agricultural productivity and disaster preparedness in the Philippines.
Ishiba’s visit comes as the two countries celebrate the 70th anniversary of the normalization of relations next year. (PNA)
