Marcos arrives in Tokyo for Asean-Japan meet

TOKYO, Japan: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived here on Friday evening for the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)-Japan Relations.

Philippine Airlines PR001, carrying the President and his delegation, landed at 7:13 p.m. local time here at the Haneda International Airport, officially kicking off his four-day visit to Japan.

While in Tokyo, the President is expected to follow up on the business deals forged in his first trip to Japan this year.

He will hold a roundtable meeting for a status report on the pledges and agreements signed during the February visit and the signing of new business agreements.

Marcos will have a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and will have an audience with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.

The Chief Executive will attend the main summit which will include a session that would discuss issues in the South China Sea, East China Sea, Myanmar, North Korea, and other international developments that have a bearing on Asean.

He will also be joining in sessions that will discuss people-to-people activities between Asean and Japan, which is deemed important for the Philippines as it is one of the major beneficiaries of youth and people to people exchange, especially the exchange of students.

Marcos is also expected to attend the Asia Zero Emissions Community, a separate regional organization composed of Asean, Japan, and Australia.

The President and his delegation will return to the country on Monday night, December 18.