Philippines President Marcos to Host Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba in Manila for Strategic Bilateral Talks
Manila, The Gulf Observer: Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will welcome Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba for an official visit to the Philippines on April 29–30, with bilateral talks scheduled at Malacañan Palace focusing on deepening the two nations’ strategic partnership.
In a statement released Wednesday, Malacañang confirmed that the two leaders will engage in high-level discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation in economic development, defense, political engagement, and people-to-people exchanges.
“The meeting of President Marcos and Prime Minister Ishiba will aim to deepen and improve economic and development cooperation, political and defense engagements, and people-to-people exchanges,” the Palace said.
Among the key issues on the agenda are regional and global security, with both leaders expected to exchange views on strategic developments and explore collaborative efforts to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
This visit follows Marcos and Ishiba’s previous meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summits in Vientiane, Laos in October 2024.
According to reports from Jiji Press, one of the expected outcomes of the visit is the initiation of discussions for a General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) — a military intelligence-sharing pact between Japan and the Philippines. The two countries are also anticipated to begin talks on an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) that would allow for the mutual provision of supplies, such as ammunition and fuel.
To underscore the growing security ties between Tokyo and Manila, Prime Minister Ishiba is also scheduled to inspect a coastal surveillance radar system and other defense equipment donated to the Philippines under Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework.
In a humanitarian gesture, Ishiba is expected to meet with stateless individuals of Japanese descent — those born to Japanese nationals and left behind in the Philippines after World War II — to convey Japan’s support for their acquisition of nationality.
President Marcos will be joined by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos in welcoming Prime Minister Ishiba and his spouse, Yoshiko Ishiba, at Malacañan Palace on April 29, marking a key moment in the Philippines–Japan Strengthened Strategic Partnership.
The visit highlights the deepening bilateral relationship as both countries navigate an evolving geopolitical landscape and seek to ensure regional security and sustainable development.
