TOKYO — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. began his five-day official visit to Japan on Wednesday, his first trip to the East Asian country since taking office in June last year. Marcos and his delegation arrived here at 5:35 p.m. local time on board PR 001. The President is scheduled to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and will have an audience with Emperor Naruhito. At least seven key agreements are expected to be signed during the visit. These deals are in the areas of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, infrastructure, agriculture, and digital cooperation. Marcos will also hold meetings with Japanese business leaders to promote trade and investment opportunities in the Philippines. “This administration is keen on working closely with Japan to forge stability and dynamism in our bilateral relations,” Marcos said in his pre-departure speech.
On the eve of Marcos’ visit, Manila deported two of four Japanese nationals, Toshiya Fujita and Kiyoto Imamura, who were involved in organized robberies across Japan.
Two others–the alleged mastermind Yuki Watanabe and Kojima Tomonobu–will be sent back late Wednesday night.
The Japanese embassy in Manila lauded the Philippine government’s “constructive” response and cooperation on the deportation of its citizens. The Department of Foreign Affairs had said that the “Luffy” controversy would not affect the President’s trip to Japan, which will conclude on February 12. — VBL, GMA Integrated News
