President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. flew to Japan on Wednesday, February 8 for a five-day “official working visit.”
READ: Marcos visits Japan seeking closer security ties
He was joined by his wife First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos
Marcos described the trip as “essential” and part of a “larger foreign policy” to build strong political ties, defense, and security.
He also said that he seeks to build “lasting economic partnerships with major countries in the region.”
The president and his team will meet key officials from Japan to sign bilateral agreements and attend a series of meetings with business leaders.
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Patungo na ng Japan si Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ngayong araw, Pebrero 8, kasama si Unang Ginang Louise Araneta-Marcos at ang delegasyon ng Pilipinas para sa kaniyang limang araw na official visit sa imbitasyon din ni Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio. pic.twitter.com/3GOU2jXzQw
— Presidential Communications Office (@pcogovph) February 8, 2023
Marcos visited the Asian country with some of his Cabinet secretaries namely:
- Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo
- Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno
- Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman
- Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe Medalla
- Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual
- National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan
- Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla
- Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco
- Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil
Marcos is also joined by some lawmakers such as his cousin House Speaker Martin Romualdez, House Senior Deputy Speaker and former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Sen. Mark Villar.
Business tycoon and former senator and solon Manny Villar also accompanied Marcos in the trip.
Special Assistant to President Anton Lagdameo and Marcos’ nephew presidential adviser on creative communications Paul Soriano also went to Japan with the President.
🇵🇭🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/2CXJtZ0Ot3
— Paul Soriano (@paulsoriano1017) February 9, 2023
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Around 150 representatives from the business sector from the Philippines will also join Marcos in Tokyo, presidential press briefer Daphne Oseña Paez said in a briefing on February 1.
Marcos will cap off his trip by meeting with the Filipino community in Japan before flying back to Manila on Sunday, February 12.
This Japan trip is Marcos’ tenth overseas trip since he assumed office last year.
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