The Philippines and Japan are expected to announce new agreements on defense, trade and investment, and human resources during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Tokyo from May 26 to 29, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.
DFA spokesperson Analyn Ratonel said Marcos, accompanied by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, will make his first state visit to Japan upon the invitation of the Japanese government.
The visit is expected to further strengthen Manila and Tokyo’s cooperation in security, maritime and defense affairs, economic development, energy resilience, decarbonization, and emerging industries.
“Inaasahang mag-aanunsiyo ang dalawang bansa ng mga bagong kasunduan sa defense, trade and investment, at human resources,” Ratonel said during a Malacañang briefing.
She said the specific details of the agreements would be released at the end of the visit.
Marcos is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, where the two leaders are expected to discuss closer cooperation between the Philippines and Japan.
Ratonel said maritime and security collaboration would be a key part of the talks, including information-sharing and the possible transfer of defense equipment.
The two leaders are also expected to exchange views on regional and global issues, including developments in ASEAN, challenges in the Indo-Pacific, and the situation in the Middle East.
The visit comes as the Philippines and Japan mark the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations this year.
Aside from his meeting with Takaichi, Marcos and the First Lady will be received by the Emperor and Empress at the Imperial Palace for a welcome ceremony. A state banquet will also be hosted in their honor.
During their audience, the First Couple and the Imperial Couple are expected to confer and exchange decorations.
Marcos is also scheduled to meet Japanese business groups and members of the Filipino community in Japan. Ratonel declined to identify the companies or sectors involved in the business meetings.
The DFA said around 340,000 Filipinos were living and working in Japan as of 2025, about half of them permanent migrants. Many Filipino workers in Japan are professionals, including teachers, engineers, and health care workers.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto is expected to head the caretaker committee while Marcos is abroad.