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President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announce the elevation of Philippines-Japan relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, May 28, 2026.
Presidential Communications Office
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi have raised relations between their countries to a comprehensive strategic partnership, the highest level of bilateral cooperation, as both governments move to lock in security and economic ties against a shifting regional landscape.
The two leaders made the announcement at a joint press conference after their summit at the Akasaka State Guest House in Tokyo, on Thursday, May 28, on the 70th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Manila and Tokyo.
"I am pleased to announce that we have elevated our relationship from a Strengthened Strategic Partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," Marcos said. He called the upgrade a reflection of "the strength, depth and breadth of our ties as we respond to the evolving challenges and opportunities of our time."
Marcos said the talks reaffirmed his administration's push to expand work with Japan on economic partnership, energy resilience, decarbonization, defense and security, maritime cooperation, artificial intelligence and emerging industries.
The move to elevate relations "sets the stage for ensuring that our productive partnership is scripted for the future and will be down to even more meaningful benefits for our two countries and our two peoples," Marcos said in a statement.
Takaichi framed the move as a hedge against global instability.
"This demonstrates the determination of our two countries to strengthen multi-layered relations as like-minded countries sustainably going forward without being affected by changes in the international environment," she said.
The two leaders traded views on developments in the Indo-Pacific and on how the situation in the Middle East is affecting energy security.
Marcos pushed for Philippine priorities at the table, such as deeper security and defense cooperation, stronger maritime collaboration, economic security, expanded trade and investment, and more partnership on infrastructure and development.
The leaders also discussed official development assistance, higher education, environmental protection and disaster resilience.
Marcos welcomed Japan's continued backing for the Mindanao peace process.
Marcos is in Japan on a four-day state visit at the invitation of the Japanese government.
It is only the third State Visit Japan has hosted since its current emperor took the throne in 2019.
Shared problem with Beijing
The upgrade comes as Manila and Tokyo each face flaring tensions with China at sea.
For the Philippines, the sharpest flashpoint in recent years is at Scarborough Shoal, a fishing ground inside its exclusive economic zone that China has maintained de facto control of with coast guard and fishing vessels since seizing it in 2012.
In April, satellite imagery showed Chinese ships and a floating barrier sealing off the shoal's entrance, the latest in a pattern of harassment that Manila has answered with repeated diplomatic protests.
Beijing continues to reject the 2016 ruling by an arbitral tribunal in The Hague that found its sweeping claims had no basis in international law.
Japan is locked in a parallel dispute with Beijing over the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, which China claims and calls the Diaoyu.
Tensions spiked after Takaichi told parliament on Nov. 7, 2025 that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo.
Beijing reacted furiously over the incident and warned its citizens against travel to Japan, halted Japanese seafood imports and ordered the sailing of coast guard ships through Senkaku waters.
