UMVA has learned that President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. reaffirmed the Philippines’ resolve to settle maritime disputes through diplomacy and international law during a high‑stakes address to Japan’s National Diet.
Standing before the bicameral legislature, Marcos declared the Philippines would keep championing a “free, open and inclusive Indo‑Pacific,” positioning Japan as a steadfast, long‑standing strategic ally.
“The Philippines remains at the forefront of upholding a rules‑based maritime order,” he told the assembly, underscoring Manila’s commitment to a legal framework that curbs aggression in contested waters.
His remarks arrived as tensions with China ripple across the South China Sea, prompting Manila to tighten its strategic alignment with Tokyo and reshape security partnerships throughout Asia.
Marking the 10th anniversary of the landmark 2016 arbitration ruling that dismissed China’s expansive nine‑dash line claim, Marcos highlighted the decision as a testament to the Philippines’ determination to pursue peaceful, law‑based resolutions.
In a broader push, the four‑day state visit deepened defense and economic ties with Japan, one of the Philippines’ biggest investors and trade partners, while also showcasing Japan’s inaugural participation in this year’s Balikatan drills alongside the United States, Australia, New Zealand, France, and Canada.
Marcos praised Japan’s assistance in bolstering the Philippines’ defense capabilities and supporting peace initiatives in Mindanao, noting that shared principles now drive their growing partnership.
Beyond military cooperation, the leader urged expanded collaboration in digital innovation, clean energy, artificial intelligence, resilient supply chains, smart agriculture, and critical minerals, signaling a multifaceted future for the two nations.
This visit marks Marcos’ fourth trip to Japan since taking office, and the first state visit by a Philippine president to Tokyo in more than a decade, reflecting a renewed urgency in regional diplomacy.
Approximately 360,000 Filipinos now live and work in Japan, contributing across healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, education, and services, further cementing the deep social and economic bonds between the two countries.
