Japan-Philippines Relations

Minister Hayashi attended the ceremony and the official reception for the inauguration of President Marcos at the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila as Special Envoy of Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio. On this occasion, Minister Hayashi exchanged words with dignitaries in presence from foreign governments, including Hon. Emhoff, Second Gentleman of the United States of America; Hon. Hurley, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia; H.E. Don, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand; Dato Seri Setia Erywan, Minister of Foreign Affairs II of Brunei Darussalam; and H.E. Dato’ Sri Saifuddin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia.

• (1)At the outset, Minister Hayashi congratulated President Marcos on his inauguration and delivered a personal letter from Prime Minister Kishida. In response, President Marcos expressed gratitude for the attendance of a high-level official from the Government of Japan at the presidential inauguration.
• (2)Regarding the Japan–Philippines relations, President Marcos expressed his appreciation for Japan’s contribution thus far to the Philippines’ nation-building, and his hope to continue strengthening the working relationship of two important Strategic Partners and to revitalize the people-to-people exchanges including tourism. In response, Minister Hayashi, noting that the two countries, both maritime nations and United States’ allies, are Strategic Partners sharing fundamental values and strategic interests, expressed his intention that Japan would continue to implement concrete cooperation projects with the Philippines while leveraging ODA toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” as well as render support to the Mindanao peace process. In addition, the two concurred on further promotion of cooperation for post-pandemic economic recovery, support for asset reinforcement and capabilities enhancement of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and strengthening and facilitating of cooperation such as exercises between the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
• (3)On regional and international situations, Minister Hayashi expressed strong opposition to unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in the East and South China Seas and economic coercion, and conveyed his support for President Marcos’ position of upholding the arbitral award of 2016 and protecting the Philippines’ maritime coastal rights. The two concurred on working closely on maintaining and strengthening the free and open maritime order based on the rule of law.
• (4)In addition, Minister Hayashi and President Marcos shared the recognition that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an outrageous act that jeopardizes the foundation of the international order, and that unilateral changes to the status quo by force are unacceptable in any region of the world. In addition, the two affirmed strengthening cooperation on North Korea’s abductions, nuclear and missiles development, the situation in Myanmar, the efforts to strengthen the United Nations system including its Security Council reform, disarmament and non-proliferation, among others.

• (1)Minister Hayashi visited the headquarters of the PCG for approximately a half hour from 3:30 p.m. (4:30 p.m., JST). Minister Hayashi, led by Vice Adm. Eduardo D. Fabricante, Deputy Commandant of the PCG, boarded and toured the 97-meter-class multi-role response vessel, BRP Teresa Magbanua, one of the largest vessel of the Philippines whose building was financed with an ODA loan from the Government of Japan. Minister Hayashi received a briefing on the situation in the South China Sea and PCG’s maritime law-enforcement duties, among others, from Deputy Commandant Fabricante. Deputy Commandant Fabricante expressed deep gratitude for the Government of Japan’s support to enhance PCG’s capabilities, including the deployment of Japanese experts.
• (2)Furthermore, in the evening, Minister Hayashi is scheduled to hold a conversation with resident employees of Japanese companies in the Philippines and exchange views regarding the Japan–Philippines economic relations and local business environment.