Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida believes that the relationship between Japan and the Philippines is now in its “golden age”, and it is his desire to further deepen the two countries’ cooperation.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. toasts with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during the State Banquet at the Malacañang Palace on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. (PPA POOL)
“Japan and the Philippines are now experiencing an excellent relationship – we call it the golden age. I look forward to working with President Marcos to take these bilateral relations to even new heights,” he said.
“I hope my visit will be an opportunity to deepen the relationship of trust with President Marcos and also give further boost to the future of cooperation,” the Prime Minister added, noting the “great pleasure” of being back to the country after seven years.
He made the statement during a toast with President Marcos in a banquet hosted by the President and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos for the Japanese delegation at Malacañan Palace on Friday night, Nov. 3.
Aside from both heads of state and the First Lady, the banquet was also attended by Madame Kishida Yuko, the Prime Minister’s wife, and other members of the Japanese delegation shortly after the bilateral meeting between the Philippines and Japan.
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., newly appointed Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., and Armed Forces chief-of-staff Romeo Brawner Jr., among others also joined the banquet.
“I want to wholeheartedly thank President Marcos as well as madame First Lady and all the Filipino people for wholeheartedly welcoming me and my wife to the Philippines. It is a great pleasure for me to once again come to the Philippines after seven years,” Kishida added.
However, the Prime Minister stressed that the meeting with the President did not only delve into the two countries’ bilateral relations, but also on regional and global affairs.
Marcos is set to fly to Tokyo next month for the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Japan Commemorative Summit.
“I very much look forward to receiving President Marcos,” Kishida said. — Raymund Antonio
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Credit belongs to: www.mb.com.ph
