Japan will work with the Philippines to strengthen cooperation in maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law amid complex crises facing the international community, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Friday.

“Japan and the Philippines are both maritime nations and strategic partners sharing a fundamental principles and values,” Kishida said in his opening statement during a bilateral meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in Malacañang.

“And as the international community faces complex crises, we would like to strengthen our cooperation with the Philippines to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law to ensure a world where human dignity is protected. I very much look forward to discussing issues with you in depth today.”

The Japanese leader said he was delighted to see President Marcos in Manila following their meeting in Tokyo in February and their encounter in Jakarta in September, noting the mutual visits between leaders mean robust bilateral relationship between the two countries.

He thanked Marcos for the gracious welcome and the warm hospitality extended to him from the people of the Philippines.

Marcos, for his part, said he was looking forward to expanding the Philippines’ cooperation with Japan in key areas after talks with Japanese Prime Minister, who is in the Philippines for a two-day official visit.

Building upon the momentum of the recent past, he said he looks forward to expanding cooperation with Japan in key areas, such as economic development, development cooperation, and security cooperation.

The Philippines and Japan elevated their relations to Strategic Partnership and marked last July the 67th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations. PND