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Plus factors in Japan and PH relations, now elevated to comprehensive strategic partnership
Our domestic politics is so bleak that I look for bright spots in other countries, in their leaders, their summits with counterparts and how they conduct foreign policy on the global stage.
I am glad to write about one such event in our part of the world which was a moment of pride as the Philippines and Japan, on the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties, elevated their relations to the highest tier—the first and only country with which we have a comprehensive strategic partnership. This falls short of an alliance and it happened during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Japan from May 26 to 29, the first by a Philippine president in more than a decade.
But first, the pomp and circumstance, and personal connections. Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako warmly received Marcos and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos at the Imperial Palace with a formal welcome ceremony. Marcos is only the third state guest since 2019 when Emperor Naruhito was enthroned.
