Palace: Marcos to clinch Japan defense, trade deals

By Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Reporter

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s state visit to Japan is expected to produce agreements on defense cooperation, trade and investment, and human resource development, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday ahead of the four-day trip.

DFA Spokesperson Analyn D. Ratonel said Mr. Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi would also discuss regional security, economic resilience, energy transition and decarbonization.

The discussions will also include broader global issues, including ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) cooperation, Indo-Pacific challenges, and the situation in the Middle East, she told reporters.

She said the Philippines would push deeper operational cooperation in maritime security and defense, including expanded information-sharing, closer coordination between defense agencies and enhanced collaboration on equipment transfer.

“We want to strengthen and deepen our collaboration on operational cooperation in maritime and security areas,” she said.

She added that both sides are expected to review implementation of existing defense agreements, including the Reciprocal Access Agreement signed in 2024 and the agreement on reciprocal provision of supplies and services between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces signed in January.

“Also included [in the agenda] are the transfer of defense equipment and the continued support from Japan for the modernization initiatives of our armed forces,” Ms. Ratonel said.

Mr. Marcos is scheduled to be in Tokyo from May 26 to 29. It will be his first state visit to Japan but his fourth trip to the country since taking office in 2022.

Energy cooperation is also expected to feature prominently in the talks, including Japan’s Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience Asia, a $10-billion initiative launched last month to support regional energy security and supply diversification.

The initiative aims to help participating Asian economies secure oil supply access and stabilize procurement amid global volatility.

The Philippines, which relies heavily on imported petroleum products, has been exposed to recent global price swings driven by the US-Israel war on Iran. The government earlier declared a year-long state of national energy emergency to manage supply risks and price pressures.

“We in the Philippines are really working on our long-term energy supply, that’s why the President wants to work with Japan to further expand the country’s renewable energy,” Ms. Ratonel added.

Mr. Marcos is also expected to meet Filipino communities in Japan and hold talks with Japanese business leaders during the visit.

About 340,000 Filipinos live in Japan, roughly split between permanent migrants and temporary workers, including professionals in healthcare, engineering and education.

The DFA said details on participating business sectors have yet to be finalized.

Manila and Tokyo are marking 70 years of diplomatic relations this year, a milestone expected to frame discussions on long-term strategic cooperation.

Meanwhile, Malacañang said the administration remains focused on economic management and institutional accountability despite concerns raised by a Fitch Solutions Group Ltd. unit over political tensions in the country.

Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said political debate is part of a functioning democracy and warned against attempts to destabilize government institutions for personal gain.

“Political noise comes and goes, but economic fundamentals remain strong,” she said.

Her remarks followed a GeoQuant assessment under Fitch Solutions that flagged rising political risk linked to impeachment proceedings against Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio and concerns over potential instability.

Ms. Castro said the administration views accountability measures positively and denied that political developments are undermining governance or investor confidence.

The Philippines is also dealing with an investigation into a multibillion-peso flood control graft scandal exposed in 2025, which has affected sentiment across both public and private sectors.

The Senate has convened as an impeachment court to hear charges against Ms. Duterte, including alleged constitutional violations, graft and an alleged assassination plot against Mr. Marcos. She has denied the allegations.

Her impeachment has also triggered leadership changes in the Senate, with Duterte-aligned Senator Alan Peter S. Cayetano elected as Senate president.

If convicted, Ms. Duterte would be permanently barred from holding public office, including a potential presidential bid she earlier announced for 2028.

GeoQuant said political risk indicators rose following the start of impeachment proceedings in March, reflecting increased polarization and institutional strain.