Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is being treated to an exceptional state visit in Japan, which concludes on Friday. The four-day trip includes a palace banquet, a prestigious national award, and a clear signal that Tokyo wants to elevate ties with a key defence partner and potential arms customer, as regional concerns over China’s military activity intensify.
Marcos was greeted by Emperor Naruhito, who presented him with the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum. On Thursday, Marcos will hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, expected to yield statements further strengthening defence and weapons cooperation. Speaking to Japanese lawmakers on Wednesday, Marcos said the emphasis on raising ties reflects an “exceptional level of trust” between the nations.
Japan’s recent scrapping of a ban on lethal weapons exports, a departure from its postwar pacifist policy, makes Marcos the first potential major customer for Japanese arms. The two countries have agreed to pursue negotiations on the sale of multiple Abukuma-class destroyers and TC-90 training aircraft. Philippine Defence Minister Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has also expressed interest in Type-88 surface-to-ship missiles.
Both nations have China firmly in mind as they tighten a military relationship that the United States hopes will counter Beijing’s ambitions in the East and South China Seas, as well as its designs on Taiwan. Marcos has taken a hard-line stance against China over maritime disputes, and under his presidency the Philippines has rapidly bolstered security ties with Japan, both bilaterally and trilaterally with the US.
Japan is also keen to formalise a military intelligence sharing pact, which would enable closer communication and strengthen trilateral cooperation with Washington. Tokyo has already provided five coastal surveillance radars to Manila as part of official security assistance. Additionally, the leaders are expected to discuss energy cooperation and a Japan-led multinational funding framework to help Southeast Asian countries stabilise oil reserves amid disruptions caused by the Iran war.
The state visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Japan and the Philippines, and the Philippines’ rotating presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Japan aims to deepen the partnership beyond Marcos’s term, which ends in 2028, seeking consistency in Manila’s China policy.
