The established connection of the Philippines and Japan really does go beyond a diplomatic relationship, as Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Japanese Emperor Naruhito have already crossed paths and shared different spaces multiple times in the past.
It might be a surprise, but did you know that the Philippines is the first country that the Japanese Emperor set his foot on?
During the State Banquet on Wednesday, May 27, Emperor Naruhito shared that there was a time when his trip to Australia unexpectedly made a stop in Manila International Airport to refuel, thus making the Philippines the first country he got to visit.
A fun fact? Yes.
Fate? Maybe.
Considering that the ongoing state visit of President Marcos Jr. is his first state visit in Japan, it is not the first time that the two leaders shared the same space, as they also learned that they have common friends from their time at Oxford University.
“I also remember vividly how, when I spoke with President Marcos, the conversation blossomed when we reminisced about our experiences in those days, including mutual friends and our daily lives in Oxford,” Emperor Naruhito recalled.
A university encounter was not the last time that both of them crossed paths with one another, as President Marcos Jr. accompanied the former Philippine First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos during the Japan World Exposition (Osaka Expo) both in the year 1970 and 2025.
Those shared moments did not only amplify their experiences but also fueled the relationship between both countries.
“I am very pleased that President Marcos has helped to forge a closer relationship between our two nations by attending expos held in Japan on two separate occasions,” said Emperor Naruhito.
Not only did President Marcos Jr. establish close ties in the said country, but so did his parents, former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. and former First Lady Imelda, when they made two state visits to Japan in 1966 and 1977.
Considering the ongoing state visit of President Marcos Jr., Emperor Naruhito described it as a landmark in Philippine-Japan diplomatic history.
When we say PH-Japan connection goes beyond the formal diplomatic ties, it literally means that it goes further than that, like extending help to one another in times of need, just like what real friends are for.
Emperor Naruhito also expressed his gratitude to President Marcos Jr. for its assistance during the two major natural disasters in Japan: the Great East Japan earthquake in 2011 and the Noto Peninsula earthquake in 2024.
“Japan and the Philippines have further cemented these bonds of trust by helping each other in times of difficulty,” the Emperor added.
Moreover, during the First Couple’s state call at the Imperial Palace, the Emperor and the Empress expressed their deep connection with the Filipino culture and their acknowledgement of the Filipino people.
The enticing rhythm of Filipino folk songs and traditional Ilocano songs such as “Pamulinawen” and “Manang Biday” was heard playing during the courtesy call not only as a welcome gesture but also to acknowledge and embrace the cultural difference.
The Imperial couple also took their time to have their brief exchanges with Filipino journalists covering the state visit and making sure that they are having a great stay in Tokyo, which further demonstrated the special bonds between the two countries.
The Philippines-Japan relations really goes beyond what formal diplomacy means; it goes more than a mere connection but a real friendship despite how huge the differences are. – VC
