Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba arrived in the Philippines for a 2-day visit, and a bilateral meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr..

Ishiba’s visit to Manila was timed as the two countries “mark the 10th year of strengthened strategic partnership and year ahead of the “70th year of the normalization of our diplomatic ties.”

The meeting would involve discussions related to national security cooperation and maritime law enforcement. To include the

agreement, signed earlier by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. that will allow more Japanese forces to join annual military exercises involving the Philippines and the United States, including the “Balikatan” exercises.

They are also expected to tackle the landmark Reciprocal Access Agreement, which aims to heighten defense cooperation between Manila and Tokyo in the middle of the escalating tensions in the South China Sea.

Before proceeding to Malacanang upon his arrival, Ishiba laid a wreath at the Rizal Monument in Rizal Park.

Ishiba is the second Japanese prime minister to have visited the Philippines under Marcos Jr.’s term.

Last year, Japan and the United States pledge to pour in billions of dollars to fund the a “corridor of investments” in Luzon, the largest island group of the Philippines.

Manila, Tokyo and Washington had also discussed ways on how to curb Beijing’s incursions in the South China Sea, a strategic waterway where trillions-worth of seaborne goods pass through annually.

Present during the arrival ceremony were Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Jaybee Ruiz, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, Public Works and Highways Secretary Manny Bonoan, Environment Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.