Secretary Manalo Visits Tokyo, Highlights Philippine Outlook at 30th Nikkei Future of Asia Forum
Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo delivers his remarks at the 30th Nikkei Forum: Future of Asia on 30 May 2025 at the Imperial Hotel.
TOKYO 30 May 2025 – Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo undertook a working visit to Tokyo, Japan, from 28 to 30 May 2025, to advance the Philippines’ foreign policy priorities and further strengthen relations with Japan and other regional partners.
A key highlight of the visit was Secretary Manalo’s participation as a speaker at the 30th Nikkei Forum: Future of Asia on 30 May. With the Forum’s theme this year, “Asia’s Challenge in a Turbulent World,” Secretary Manalo presented the Philippine perspective on regional cooperation and the importance of upholding a rules-based international order.
"The rules-based order that nations have painstakingly built over decades provides the essential framework for predictability, equity, and stability of our relationships especially during this age of transformation. It assures that all sovereign states, regardless of size, clout or strength, are able to exercise their agency in pursuit of their legitimate interests. It is key to preserving trust and solidarity amidst risks of fragmentation," Secretary Manalo stated as he joined fellow leaders and policy thinkers in deliberating on Asia’s evolving role amid shifting global dynamics at the Nikkei Forum.
“It is not just great powers that will shape the future; all nations co-create it. This is the spirit of the UN Charter. The future of the Indo-Pacific is being shaped not by one or two powers alone, but by the collective will and actions of all nations within it,” the Secretary stressed.
On 28 May, Secretary Manalo held a bilateral meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya. The two Foreign Ministers reaffirmed the strength of the Philippines-Japan Strategic Partnership and discussed a wide range of shared interests, including security and maritime cooperation, economic resilience, and people-to-people exchanges. They also exchanged views on regional developments and reiterated their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
On 29 May, the Secretary paid a call on Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, during which both sides underscored the growing breadth and depth of Philippines-Japan relations and expressed mutual commitment to continued high-level engagement.
This visit builds upon the momentum of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s official visit to the Philippines in April 2025, where he and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. hailed the current “golden age” of Philippines-Japan ties, especially as both nations approach the 70th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations and the 15th anniversary of Strategic Partnership in 2026.
Secretary Manalo was accompanied by Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano and officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs. He proceeded to Tokyo from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he supported President Marcos Jr. at the ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. During his visit to Japan, the Secretary also conducted media interviews to further articulate the Philippines’ active engagement in regional diplomacy and its perspectives on regional and global issues. END
Secretary Manalo during the moderated Q&A at the 30th Nikkei Forum.
Secretary Manalo with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya during the bilateral meeting on 28 May 2025.
Secretary Manalo with Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi on 29 May 2025 at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Secretary Manalo during the brief courtesy call by Nikkei Senior Managing Director Daisuke ARAKAWA at the Imperial Hotel on 30 May 2025.