The Philippines and Japan are commemorating the 70th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations this year. 

During the state visit, the President and First Lady are set to be received by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan at the Imperial Palace for a welcome ceremony, state call, and state banquet.

The President will hold a summit meeting with Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, where the two leaders are expected to discuss the future trajectory of the Philippines-Japan Strengthened Strategic Partnership and continue their recent discussions on current international developments, especially with regard to energy and food security, and maritime security.

The President is scheduled to meet with Japanese business groups and the members of the Filipino community, as part of his official engagements during the state visit.

The last state visit to Japan by a Philippine President was undertaken by former President Benigno S. Aquino III in June 2015, while Their Majesties the Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko last undertook a state visit to the Philippines in January 2016.

World leaders’ trips are usually classified by protocol level and purpose: state visit, official visit, official working visit, working visit, and private visit.

The most prestigious, the state visit is usually extended by one head of state to another, often by invitation, and it is marked by strong ceremonial elements such as guard of honor, state banquet, and public pageantry. It is generally reserved for the highest level of relations and is relatively rare.

The move comes as bilateral momentum strengthens, with non-oil trade between Dubai and the Philippines rising 17% to AED 3.58 billion in 2025, underscoring the Gulf emirate’s growing importance as a gateway for Filipino companies seeking international expansion.

“The Philippines is one of Dubai’s fastest-growing trade partners in Southeast Asia,” said Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers. “The Manila office will support Filipino companies in exploring opportunities in Dubai and scaling their global footprint.”

The expansion is backed by a surge in Filipino business presence in Dubai. As of end-2025, 2,592 Philippine companies were registered with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, marking a 23.3% year-on-year increase, with 856 new firms joining during the year.

Positioned as a two-way investment gateway, the Manila office will provide market intelligence, facilitate partnerships, and connect businesses to opportunities across sectors, while promoting Dubai as a strategic hub for global trade and capital.

The office is also expected to support Dubai-based firms eyeing entry into the Philippine market by offering local insights, identifying investment prospects, and enabling connections with key partners.

The launch was attended by senior officials and business leaders, including Louise Araneta-Marcos and Mohamed Obaid Salem Al Qatam Alzaabi, highlighting the growing alignment in economic priorities between the two markets.

The Manila expansion builds on earlier engagement efforts, including a 2025 trade mission led by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce that generated 180 bilateral business meetings and a business forum attended by over 300 stakeholders. The mission also resulted in a memorandum of understanding with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry to strengthen trade cooperation.

The new office forms part of the broader “Dubai Global” initiative, which aims to establish 50 international offices by 2030, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global investment hub while enabling companies to expand into priority markets such as the Philippines.

The journey itself is part of the charm. It’s now possible to walk, jog, or cycle this route with ease, turning what was once a crowded passage into a leisurely cultural experience.

As the city continues to reclaim its historic spaces, the path leading to the world’s first Chinatown has become an attraction of its own—equal parts history, exercise, and exploration.

Founded in 1594, Binondo is widely regarded as the oldest Chinatown in the world. But its significance goes far beyond its age. It is a living district, shaped by centuries of migration, and the blending of Filipino and Chinese cultures. From herbal pharmacies and gold shops to noodle houses and bakeries, it’s a place that rewards curiosity.

And now, it is getting a new chapter.

After the transformation of the Pasig River Esplanade, the spotlight has turned to Binondo. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. formally launched the second phase of the Chinatown Revitalization Project on February 13 at Hotel Lucky Chinatown, signaling renewed efforts to preserve its heritage while boosting cultural tourism and supporting local businesses.

“Binondo, founded in 1594, is described as the world’s oldest Chinatown. Beyond its age, what makes this place special is its long story of commerce, faith, and culture between Filipinos and the Chinese community,” the President said.

“This initiative is all about honoring shared histories and giving the district the much-needed attention and respect that it deserves,” he added.

The project builds on the success of Phase I, which restored and illuminated the iconic Jones Bridge, now a favorite backdrop for photos, bike rides, and evening strolls. Phase II aims to further transform Binondo into a lively cultural and economic hub, enhancing the experience for both locals and visitors.

“In this phase, we will further develop Ongpin Street into a cultural and economic hub, and enhance key historical landmarks with lighting and thematic presentations along Ongpin and Escolta Streets,” President Marcos said.

These upgrades are part of a broader effort tied to the administration’s Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli Program, which seeks to restore the Pasig River and revitalize nearby communities. The initiative includes reclaiming public spaces in Plaza Mexico, expanding pedestrian corridors toward the Arroceros Forest Park, modernizing river transport, and clearing waterways.

The result is a more connected and walkable city.

People can now make their way from Intramuros to Binondo more comfortably, taking in historic landmarks along the way. The improved Pasig River Ferry system also offers another scenic route into the district, adding to its accessibility.

But the heart of Binondo remains its everyday life.

On any given day, you can wander into a small eatery to try Chinese-Filipino favorites, browse shelves in traditional groceries, stop by old pharmacies selling herbal remedies, or take a photography walk through narrow alleys bursting with color and character. It’s a district that invites slow discovery — perfect for those who prefer to explore one bite, one street, one story at a time.

The President emphasized that the project is ultimately meant for the people who live, work, and pass through Binondo daily.

“Moreover, it is for every Filipino and for anyone who wishes to gain a better understanding of our culture and our history,” the President said.

The revitalization also highlights the strong collaboration among government, private sector partners, and the Filipino-Chinese community, whose shared efforts are helping preserve the district’s identity while preparing it for the future.

“I look forward to the results of this project as we breathe new life into this place, which becomes a better foundation for a better, more united Bagong Pilipinas,” the President said.

During the launch, the President and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos toured several newly lighted landmarks, including MacArthur Bridge, La Madre Filipina, the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar (Sta. Cruz Parish), Qui Shan Gate, and the Dragon Lights along Quintin Paredes Street.

These illuminated spaces hint at what Binondo is becoming: not just a historic district, but a destination to be experienced.

So slow down. Walk a little. Pedal a little. Taste something new. Look up at the old buildings. And let the world’s first Chinatown tell its story, one street at a time.

According to a media release from the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, Vice-Minister Ikuina welcomed the President on behalf of the Government of Japan and expressed appreciation for his early visit to the Expo, which follows his summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in April.

Ikuina relayed Prime Minister Ishiba’s message to President Marcos, expressing regret at being unable to welcome him personally in Osaka but reaffirming Japan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.

In response, President Marcos extended his thanks to Prime Minister Ishiba and congratulated Japan on the successful preparations for the Expo. The President shared a personal memory from 55 years ago, recalling that his very first visit to Japan was for the 1970 Osaka Expo, when his mother, former First Lady Imelda Marcos, represented the Philippines.

“I still clearly remember those days,” he said, noting how emotional it was to return decades later as the country’s leader. Marcos also praised the Philippine Pavilion, saying it reflected the growing closeness between the Filipino and Japanese people, particularly in business and cultural exchanges.

The meeting was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere, underscoring the deepening partnership between the Philippines and Japan ahead of Expo 2025.

According to the Presidential Communication Office (PCO), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos will welcome Prime Minister Ishiba and his spouse, Mrs. Ishiba Yoshiko, in official engagements at Malacañan Palace on 29 April 2025.

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 official visit reflects shared concerns over regional security challenges posed by China and a mutual interest in maintaining stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

Both leaders are also expected to exchange views on regional and global developments, and explore new pathways towards peace and stability under the “Strengthened Strategic Partnership” between the two countries.

The two leaders last met in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic on the sidelines of ASEAN Summits in October 2024.

The exchange of high-level visits is a main feature of Philippines-Japan relations. It may be recalled that President Marcos undertook an official visit to Japan in February 2023, which was returned by Japan’s then Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in an official visit in November 2023.

The visit is set against the backdrop of China’s growing military assertiveness and territorial claims in the South China Sea and East China Sea.

Both Japan and the Philippines, as U.S. treaty allies, are working closely to counterbalance China’s influence and maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. This includes expanding defense ties not only bilaterally but also in coordination with the United States and other like-minded countries.

The visit also highlights Japan’s commitment to supporting the Philippines not only economically but also in defense modernization, including the provision of coastal surveillance radars and other security equipment under Japan’s official security assistance framework established in 2023.