Marcos arrives in Tokyo for ASEAN-Japan Summit

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Friday arrived in Tokyo where he will attend the 50th Commemorative ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation Summit.

Marcos, First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and other Phlippine officials landed at the Haneda International Airport at 7:13 p.m. (Japan time) and were warmly welcomed by Japanese officials.

The summit is slated from Saturday, December 16 to Monday, December 18, 2023,

In his departure message, the President said his trip to Japan would be an opportunity to promote the Philippines' interests and present the country's position on various international issues. 

''This last ASEAN-related Summit for the year presents an opportunity to once again affirm the Philippines’ position on current international issues and advance Philippine interests,'' Marcos Jr. said.

''It is also an opportunity to welcome the conferment of Comprehensive Partner Status to Japan, ASEAN’s trusted and reliable partner in peace, economic development, and community-building for the past 50 years or so,'' he added.

Marcos also vowed that his administration would ensure that constructive engagements with ASEAN, as well as external partners and stakeholders, will continue ''to best serve our national interest, in as much as we promote the regional interest of peace, security, and prosperity, for the well-being of the Filipino people.''

Apart from the summit, the President will also have a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Vice President Sara Duterte would be the country's caretaker while Marcos is in Japan, the PCO said. 

In February, the President also visited Japan for a state visit wherein 35 investment deals have been signed between the two countries. The sectors include infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, and healthcare. —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA Integrated News