Marcos to raise security with Japan

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on May 19 that security cooperation will be a major agenda item in his state visit to Japan later this month, adding to a trip already framed by Manila and Tokyo as a review of their strategic partnership. Marcos is scheduled to travel to Japan from May 26 to May 29, according to the Philippine Presidential Communications Office and Japan’s foreign ministry. He is due to meet Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and also make a state call on Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako. ### When is the Japan trip, and who will Marcos meet there? The Philippine Presidential Communications Office said on April 24 that Marcos and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos will undertake a state visit to Japan from May 26 to May 29 at the invitation of the Japanese government. Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs published the same dates and said the emperor and empress would host the Philippine president and first lady for a state banquet. (manilatimes.net) The April 24 announcement also said Marcos would hold a summit meeting with Takaichi to discuss the future direction of the countries’ strengthened strategic partnership. Malacañang said the agenda would include international developments, especially energy, food security and maritime security. ### What did Marcos say on May 19 about security? (pco.gov.ph) Marcos told Japanese media in Malacañang on Monday that security cooperation would be “a very important part” of his discussion with Takaichi, according to reports published on May 19 by The Manila Times, the Philippine Information Agency and other Philippine outlets. He said he expected to discuss Japan’s defense and security posture as well as regional issues. (pco.gov.ph) BusinessWorld reported that Marcos said the talks could include how Manila and Tokyo will implement the Reciprocal Access Agreement and the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement. NewsWatch Plus separately reported that Marcos said the two sides were expected to discuss the full implementation of key defense agreements during the visit. (manilatimes.net) ### Which agreements are now in focus? The Reciprocal Access Agreement has become the main new defense framework in Philippines-Japan ties, giving the two militaries a legal basis for joint activities on each other’s territory after ratification. Marcos’ May 19 remarks, as carried by BusinessWorld and NewsWatch Plus, indicate Manila wants the Tokyo talks to move from broad political support to implementation. (bworldonline.com) The Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement was also named by Marcos as a subject for discussion. That pact generally covers logistics support between militaries, and Marcos’ reference to it was one of the few concrete clues in public reporting about what defense items could be taken up during the visit. (bworldonline.com) ### Why is Japan’s defense posture part of the conversation? Marcos said he wanted to discuss Japan’s “new defense and security posture,” according to Manila Standard and other Philippine reports published on May 19. The comment follows Japan’s more visible role in Philippine security activities, including the participation of the Japan Self-Defense Forces in Balikatan 2026 and recent contacts between Japanese and Philippine defense officials. (bworldonline.com) The Philippine News Agency reported on May 19 that Marcos welcomed Japan’s expanded defense export policy, saying it could strengthen security cooperation and support the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. That report tied the upcoming visit to broader defense-industrial discussions, not only maritime coordination. ### What has happened in the relationship just before this trip? Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi met Marcos in Malacañang last week, according to the Philippine Information Agency, in a visit both sides used to underline their strategic partnership and defense cooperation. (manilastandard.net) The Manila Times also reported on May 7 that Marcos welcomed Japan’s participation in Balikatan exercises. (pna.gov.ph) Philippine media reports on May 19 also placed the trip against continuing regional tensions, including maritime disputes and wider Indo-Pacific security concerns. Marcos did not announce specific new joint measures or a timetable on May 19, but he publicly identified security, defense implementation and Japan’s evolving posture as core subjects for the summit. (pia.gov.ph) ### What comes next in Tokyo? May 26 is the opening day of Marcos’ state visit, according to the Philippine palace and Japan’s foreign ministry, and the summit with Takaichi is expected during the May 26-29 program. Any new defense deliverables are likely to surface in official readouts from Malacañang, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs or joint statements issued after their talks. (pco.gov.ph) (manilatimes.net)