Seven key deals expected to be inked during Marcos’ visit to Japan — DFA exec

At least seven bilateral agreements are expected to be signed during President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s working visit to Japan next week.

Marcos is set to visit Tokyo from February 8 to 12, a trip which is expected to reaffirm the strong and vibrant relations between the Philippines and Japan, according to DFA Assistant Secretary Neal Imperial.

"During the visit, we anticipate the signing of seven key bilateral documents or agreements covering cooperation in infrastructure development, defense, agriculture and information and communications technology, areas that are in the President's priority agenda," Imperial said.

According to Imperial, First Lady Louise "Liza" Araneta-Marcos, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Speaker Martin Romualdez, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Energy Secretary Rafael Lotilla, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr., and Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil will be joining the President in this trip.

Imperial said Marcos would have a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, which will be followed by a working dinner hosted by the Japanese leader.

"Both leaders will discuss a broad range of bilateral and regional issues to further strengthen the two countries’ cooperation in the second decade of their strategic partnership," Imperial said.

The DFA official also disclosed that the President and the First Lady would be given an Imperial Audience with their majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at an unspecified date and time.

He will also have a meet and greet with the Filipino community before going back to Manila on February 12, Imperial said.

Loan agreements

Imperial also said an umbrella terms of reference on humanitarian assistance and disaster response is expected to be signed between defense officials of Manila and Tokyo.

Further, Imperial said exchange of notes with regards to loan agreements on infrastructure namely the North-South Commuter Railway from Malolos to Tutuban and the North-South Commuter Railway Extension from Malolos, Bulacan to Clark International Airport and Tutuban to Calamba Laguna is also seen to be inked.

"This will involve around $3 billion worth of loans that will be later signed also by the Department of Finance," Imperial said.

He added that there would be a proposed deal on cooperation on information and communications technology as well as a memorandum of cooperation in agriculture.

Marcos earlier said his visit in Japan would center on economic security.

"The agenda will be a continued discussion of what we started in New York, which essentially centers around economic security," Marcos had said.

In November of last year, Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreed to further strengthen the ties and advance the cooperation between the Philippines and Japan.

Marcos also thanked Japan for its continued support to the Philippines in various fields such as disaster management, COVID-19 response, and hosting thousands of Filipinos. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News