The government of Japan is looking into strengthening its relationship with the Philippines under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Hayashi Yoshimasa said Wednesday.
During Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo’s telephone talk with Hayashi, the Japanese ambassador stated that he would like to strengthen Japan’s cooperation with Marcos Jr.’s administration toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” and the “strategic partnership” forged between the two countries.
This year marks the 66th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 11th year of strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan.
For his part, Manalo expressed his intention to continue communications with Tokyo on a wide range of agenda and further enhance bilateral relations, reiterating that Japan is an important partner in the region.
In terms of economic cooperation, Hayashi stated his interest to identify new avenues of cooperation to support the Philippines’ post-pandemic economic recovery and its drive to attain upper middle-income status. Likewise, the minister expressed willingness to lend support in the areas of agriculture, energy transition, disaster risk reduction and digital technology.
On security cooperation, the two ministers affirmed that they would continue to work toward enhancing bilateral cooperation, such as through joint exercises by Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, among others.
Manalo and Hayashi also exchanged views on regional and international issues, including Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the East and South China Seas, and tensions in Taiwan and in Myanmar.
The telephone call, lasting about 15 minutes, followed their introductory meeting via telephone last 11 July.