The enduring friendship between Japan and the Philippines continues to grow stronger as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. held a bilateral summit meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN-related Summits in Malaysia.
The 20-minute discussion, held shortly after Prime Minister Takaichi assumed office, reaffirmed both nations’ commitment to further strengthen their strategic partnership and advance shared goals under a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision.
President Marcos congratulated the Japanese leader on her new post and highlighted the importance of building on the strong foundation of the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2026.
Stronger Security Ties for Regional Stability
Both leaders welcomed the recent in-principle agreement on the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) and celebrated the entry into force of the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) this September—an important milestone that enhances interoperability and rapid humanitarian response. The RAA’s first application, supporting logistics during the recent Cebu earthquake, showcased how defense cooperation now extends to real-world disaster assistance.
They also acknowledged the progress in Official Security Assistance (OSA) and agreed to continue strengthening the foundation for security cooperation that upholds peace and stability in the Philippines and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
Economic and Development Cooperation
Prime Minister Takaichi reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting the Philippines’ economic resilience and infrastructure modernization, including food security initiatives such as the provision of post-harvest rice processing equipment.
President Marcos expressed deep appreciation for Japan’s continued Official Development Assistance (ODA) and emphasized his administration’s desire to expand collaboration beyond traditional aid, covering a wide range of strategic economic sectors.
Partnership in Energy and Climate Action
The leaders also recognized the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) on comprehensive energy partnership during the recent AZEC Ministerial Meeting, paving the way for joint progress in clean and civil nuclear energy initiatives. Prime Minister Takaichi expressed Japan’s intention to work closely with the Philippines toward the success of the AZEC Summit next year.
Looking Ahead: Shared Leadership and Global Challenges
As the Philippines prepares to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026, both leaders agreed to maintain close coordination on regional and global issues—including the South China Sea, North Korea’s missile and nuclear threats, the Myanmar crisis, and cross-border stability in the Cambodia-Thailand region.
The Japan-Philippines relationship, rooted in mutual respect and shared democratic values, continues to stand as a model partnership in Asia, strengthening not only bilateral ties but also the collective resilience of the Indo-Pacific community.