Power, defense top Tokyo agenda
Energy and defense issues are expected to top the agenda when President Marcos travels to Tokyo with first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos from May 26 to May 29 for the first state visit in 11 years to mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are set to welcome the Marcoses at the Kōkyo, or Imperial Residence, before the President is bestowed the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, according to Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara.
Kihara said the first lady will also receive the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown, followed by a state banquet. The Marcoses will be the first state visitors to Japan since Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in March 2025.
The visit is expected to include bilateral meetings on Tuesday with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to upgrade ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership and discuss defense and energy issues.
The defense talks are expected to focus on the Philippines-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), signed in 2024 and the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), signed last January.
The RAA eases the deployment of Japanese and Philippine forces on each other’s territory for joint exercises, combat training, and disaster response.
The ACSA allows the tax-free provision of supplies and services, such as fuel, ammunition, food and medical care, between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) during joint operations, humanitarian missions and peacekeeping activities.
While the RAA enables physical presence, the ACSA provides the material support necessary for sustained joint operations.
Type 88 surface-to-ship missiles
The talks are also expected to cover the Philippines’ interest in acquiring Type 88 surface-to-ship missiles, which is a land-based antiship weapon with a range of more than 100 kilometers and is currently operated by the Japan Ground SDF, according to the Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai television network.
The missile system gained international attention when Japan tested the missile system during Exercise Balikatan 2026. It was the first time Japan fired a ground-based antiship missile since 1945.
The Asahi Shimbun newspaper also reported further consultations on the possible export of Abukuma-class destroyer escort ships that are set to be retired.
Talks on the Abukuma-class destroyers were taken up on May 5 in meetings between Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro.
The President’s visit is also expected to take up energy security through Japan’s Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience Asia program, a $10 billion initiative launched by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on April 15.
The $10 billion commitment is facilitated through the Japan Bank for International Cooperation and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance to support infrastructure and industrial efficiency.
