President in Tokyo for Asean-Japan meet

(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday left for Tokyo to participate in the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)-Japan Relations, which he considers as an opportunity «to once again affirm the Philippines' position on current international issues and advance Philippine interests.»

With the President were First Lady Marie Louise «Liza» Araneta-Marcos and several Cabinet members.

In his predeparture statement, Marcos said his visit also gives him a chance to welcome the conferment of Comprehensive Partner Status to Japan, Asean's trusted and reliable partner in peace, economic development, and community-building for the past 50 years.

«The Commemorative Summit will feature three sessions, each with a particular focus within the Asean-Japan framework. The first session will take stock of Japan's contribution to Asean's community-building efforts, as well as Japan's consistent support for Asean Centrality and the rules-based international order,» Marcos said.

The second session «will feature 'Heart to Heart' Partnership across Generations. We will recognize Japan's commitment and steadfast initiatives in promoting friendship and camaraderie amongst the peoples of Asean and Japan to include the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (Jenesys) Program,» he said.

Marocs said he will highlight the Philippines' long history of cultural exchange with Japan through the Jenesys Program and has been one of its largest beneficiaries.

The last summit program, he said, will be on Co-Creation of Economy and Society of the Future «and I will bring the Philippine economic team led by Secretary Fred Pascual to participate in those talks.»

The President said the Asean-Japan relationship «has inexorably evolved and progressed over the past five decades, particularly in shared commitment towards peace and security, trade and investment, food security, climate action, energy security, supply chain resilience, infrastructure development, and now, connectivity.»

He said he will «reassure Asean member states and Japan that as permanent country coordinator for Asean-Japan Economic Relations, the Philippines will always continue to