Marcos visits Japan to tighten ties

Published May 27, 2026 by The Daily Scout

- Ferdinand Marcos Jr. began a four-day state visit to Japan on May 26, with security, energy and economic ties at the center. - Marcos said the trip aims to deepen cooperation with the Philippines’ “first and oldest Strategic Partner” during the 70th anniversary year of ties. - Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is due to hold summit talks with Marcos before the visit ends on May 29.

Why it matters

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived in Japan on May 26 for a four-day state visit that Manila has cast as a push to deepen security, economic and political ties with one of its closest regional partners. The trip comes as the Philippines and Japan expand defense cooperation and as tensions with China continue in the South China Sea. Japanese and Philippine officials said Marcos will meet Emperor Naruhito and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during the visit. Manila has also said energy, trade and investment will be on the agenda. Marcos said in a departure statement that the trip forms part of a broader foreign policy agenda to forge “closer political ties, stronger defense and security cooperation, and more enduring economic partnerships” with major countries in the region. Japan’s foreign ministry said the state visit runs from May 26 to May 29 and includes a state call with the emperor and empress and a summit meeting with Takaichi. (pco.gov.ph) ### Why is this visit being framed around security as much as trade? Marcos said on May 26 that the visit was “essential amid an increasingly challenging and evolving global environment,” and he described Japan as the Philippines’ “first and oldest Strategic Partner.” Philippine officials have said the talks will cover maritime security along with energy and food security, reflecting Manila’s effort to broaden the relationship beyond aid and commerce. (pco.gov.ph) Rappler reported when the trip was announced on April 24 that Marcos and Takaichi were expected to discuss the future of the Philippines-Japan Strengthened Strategic Partnership and current international developments, “especially with regard to energy and food security, and maritime security.” The same report said Marcos would also meet Japanese business leaders and the Filipino community. (pco.gov.ph) ### What has already changed in Japan-Philippines defense ties? Japan and the Philippines signed their Reciprocal Access Agreement on July 8, 2024, in the presence of Marcos, according to Japan’s foreign ministry. The agreement sets procedures for cooperative activities when Japanese and Philippine forces visit each other’s countries and defines the legal status of visiting forces. Japan said the Philippines became the third country, after Australia and Britain, with which Tokyo signed such an agreement. (rappler.com) Rappler reported that the two countries have since ratified the agreement and increased military cooperation. It said Japanese forces joined activities in the Philippines during the 2026 Balikatan exercises, describing it as the first deployment of Japan Self-Defense Forces to Philippine soil since World War Two. (mofa.go.jp) ### What does the timing say about the broader regional backdrop? The visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Philippines, according to both governments. Marcos said that anniversary would frame the trip, while Japan’s foreign ministry said it expected the visit to further strengthen friendly relations. (rappler.com) China’s defense minister, Dong Jun, is set to skip the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore for a second straight year, according to Channel News Asia, which cited two sources familiar with the matter. The forum opens on May 29 and runs through May 31, and CNA reported that Beijing is expected to send a lower-level People’s Liberation Army delegation instead. China’s defense ministry had not announced its delegation as of May 26, CNA said. (pco.gov.ph) ### Who will Marcos meet, and what comes next? Japan’s foreign ministry said Marcos and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos will make a state call on Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, who will also host a state banquet. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is due to hold summit talks with Marcos before the visit ends on May 29. (channelnewsasia.com) Marcos said the Philippines wants to work closely with Japan in bringing their “Strengthened Strategic Partnership to greater heights.” Any new agreements or joint statements from the Tokyo summit are expected before the state visit concludes on May 29. (pco.gov.ph) (mofa.go.jp)

Key numbers

began a four-day state visit to Japan on May 26, with security, energy and economic ties at the center.
Marcos said the trip aims to deepen cooperation with the Philippines’ “first and oldest Strategic Partner” during the 70th anniversary year of ties.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is due to hold summit talks with Marcos before the visit ends on May 29.
arrived in Japan on May 26 for a four-day state visit that Manila has cast as a push to deepen security, economic and political ties with one of its closest regional partners.

What happens next

arrived in Japan on May 26 for a four-day state visit that Manila has cast as a push to deepen security, economic and political ties with one of its closest regional partners.
The trip comes as the Philippines and Japan expand defense cooperation and as tensions with China continue in the South China Sea.
Japanese and Philippine officials said Marcos will meet Emperor Naruhito and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during the visit.

Sources

Quick answers

What happened in Marcos visits Japan to tighten ties?

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. began a four-day state visit to Japan on May 26, with security, energy and economic ties at the center. Marcos said the trip aims to deepen cooperation with the Philippines’ “first and oldest Strategic Partner” during the 70th anniversary year of ties. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is due to hold summit talks with Marcos before the visit ends on May 29.

Why does Marcos visits Japan to tighten ties matter?

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived in Japan on May 26 for a four-day state visit that Manila has cast as a push to deepen security, economic and political ties with one of its closest regional partners. The trip comes as the Philippines and Japan expand defense cooperation and as tensions with China continue in the South China Sea. Japanese and Philippine officials said Marcos will meet Emperor Naruhito and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during the visit. Manila has also said energy, trade and investment will be on the agenda. Marcos said in a departure statement that the trip forms part of a broader foreign policy agenda to forge “closer political ties, stronger defense and security cooperation, and more enduring economic partnerships” with major countries in the region. Japan’s foreign ministry said the state visit runs from May 26 to May 29 and includes a state call with the emperor and empress and a summit meeting with Takaichi. (pco.gov.ph) Why is this visit being framed around security as much as trade? Marcos said on May 26 that the visit was “essential amid an increasingly challenging and evolving global environment,” and he described Japan as the Philippines’ “first and oldest Strategic Partner.” Philippine officials have said the talks will cover maritime security along with energy and food security, reflecting Manila’s effort to broaden the relationship beyond aid and commerce. (pco.gov.ph) Rappler reported when the trip was announced on April 24 that Marcos and Takaichi were expected to discuss the future of the Philippines-Japan Strengthened Strategic Partnership and current international developments, “especially with regard to energy and food security, and maritime security.” The same report said Marcos would also meet Japanese business leaders and the Filipino community. (pco.gov.ph) What has already changed in Japan-Philippines defense ties? Japan and the Philippines signed their Reciprocal Access Agreement on July 8, 2024, in the presence of Marcos, according to Japan’s foreign ministry. The agreement sets procedures for cooperative activities when Japanese and Philippine forces visit each other’s countries and defines the legal status of visiting forces. Japan said the Philippines became the third country, after Australia and Britain, with which Tokyo signed such an agreement. (rappler.com) Rappler reported that the two countries have since ratified the agreement and increased military cooperation. It said Japanese forces joined activities in the Philippines during the 2026 Balikatan exercises, describing it as the first deployment of Japan Self-Defense Forces to Philippine soil since World War Two. (mofa.go.jp) What does the timing say about the broader regional backdrop? The visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Philippines, according to both governments. Marcos said that anniversary would frame the trip, while Japan’s foreign ministry said it expected the visit to further strengthen friendly relations. (rappler.com) China’s defense minister, Dong Jun, is set to skip the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore for a second straight year, according to Channel News Asia, which cited two sources familiar with the matter. The forum opens on May 29 and runs through May 31, and CNA reported that Beijing is expected to send a lower-level People’s Liberation Army delegation instead. China’s defense ministry had not announced its delegation as of May 26, CNA said. (pco.gov.ph) Who will Marcos meet, and what comes next? Japan’s foreign ministry said Marcos and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos will make a state call on Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, who will also host a state banquet. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is due to hold summit talks with Marcos before the visit ends on May 29. (channelnewsasia.com) Marcos said the Philippines wants to work closely with Japan in bringing their “Strengthened Strategic Partnership to greater heights.” Any new agreements or joint statements from the Tokyo summit are expected before the state visit concludes on May 29. (pco.gov.ph) (mofa.go.jp)