Marcos to visit Japan for ASEAN-Japan dialogue in December

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 3) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are set to meet again later this year for the 50th ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation Commemorative Summit in Tokyo, Japan.

Kishida confirmed that Marcos will visit Japan in December.

“In December, I will once again welcome President Marcos to Japan for the commemorative summit for the 50th year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in Tokyo,” the Japanese leader said in his native language after the bilateral meeting with Marcos.

“I’m looking forward not only to strengthen our relationship with ASEAN but also to further develop our bilateral relationship based on today’s discussion,” he added.

Kishida is in Manila for a two-day official visit for a bilateral talk with Marcos to bolster the two nations’ cooperation on the areas of politics, economy, and security.

Kishida and Marcos first met in February in Tokyo, where the latter secured $13 billion (around ₱708 billion) in investment pledges during his five-day official working visit.

They also met on the sidelines of ASEAN Summit in September in Jakarta, along with US Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss the South China Sea issue.

The Japanese prime minister will also address the Philippine Congress on Saturday during a special joint session.

The ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation Commemorative Summit will happen on Dec. 16-18.