With the Philippines and Japan set to discuss critical issues affecting both countries and bolstering bilateral cooperation during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s upcoming state visit to the country, Filipinos may look forward to aid in the areas of energy sourcing and maritime defense, among other things.
During a Monday, May 25 press briefing, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Spokesperson Analyn Ratonel did not dismiss the possibility of procuring oil from Japan, as the Philippines is looking to diversify its energy sources.
“Ang Philippines with the global energy crisis, ginagawa talaga natin ang paraan para long-term (ang) energy supply natin. So naghahanap tayo ng iba’t ibang bibilhan ng langis and ang layunin natin ay to diversify our sources para sa oil… So ito’y isa sa pag-uusapan natin with Japan,” she told reporters.
Moreover, the foreign affairs official said the Philippines is looking to have two of its defense agreements with Japan fully implemented as well: the Philippines-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) and the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA).
“Actually, mapag-uusapan po ng dalawang bansa para po i-implement fully ‘yung ating defense agreements, such as the Reciprocal Access Agreement na nilagdaan noong 2024. And para din po sa acquisition o ‘yung agreement po natin concerning reciprocal provision on supplies and services between the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and the Self-Defense Forces of Japan, signed noong January 15, 2026… Ito ‘yung nagsisilbing logistical backbone po para sa joint military training, operations, human assistance, and disaster relief,” Ratonel said.
“Sa Philippine side talaga, we’d like to see further deepening of our operational cooperation. So kasama na nga dito ang sharing of information, coordination ng ating defense agencies, kasama din naman talaga ang transfer ng defense equipment, and of course, ‘yung patuloy na suporta mula sa Japan para sa modernization initiatives ng ating Armed Forces of the Philippines,” she added.
The spokesperson clarified that while she defers the specifics on sectors to benefit from talks with Japan to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), she said that, based on the issues to be deliberated on by President Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, among those who may benefit are entities in the sectors of security, maritime defense, and energy.
President Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos are slated for a state visit to Japan from May 26 to 29, at the government’s invitation.
