Kuala Lumpur, October 27 (AseanAll) — Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. extended his warm congratulations to Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae on her historic election as Japan’s first woman Prime Minister, describing her leadership as a new chapter not only for Japan but for the entire region, according to the Presidential Communications Office of the Philippines.
“We warmly welcome you to the ASEAN family, and we look forward to working closely with you in advancing our shared priorities,” Marcos said during his intervention at the 28th ASEAN-Japan Summit held at Kuala Lumpur International Convention Center in Malaysia on October 26, 2025.
Highlighting over half a century of ASEAN–Japan partnership, Marcos noted that Japan has cultivated a partnership with the regional bloc “grounded in trust, friendship, and common vision.”
“As Partners for Peace and Stability, ASEAN works closely with Japan in maritime security to advance regional stability, enhance maritime domain awareness, and strengthen our collective crisis response capabilities,” the President added.
Marcos also reaffirmed the Philippines’ support for the Japan–ASEAN Ministerial Initiative for Enhanced Defense Cooperation (JASMINE) as a framework to advance defense cooperation in a rapidly evolving security environment, reinforcing shared commitment to a rules-based, free, and open Indo-Pacific.
On the economic front, Marcos emphasized the Philippines’ commitment to implementing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the ASEAN–Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP).
The President also highlighted the Future Design and Action Plan 2023–2033, which emphasizes innovation, sustainability, and public–private partnerships, paving the way for ASEAN and Japan to lead in the green and digital economies, automotive innovation, and artificial intelligence.
Marcos further underscored the importance of people-to-people ties as the bedrock of the ASEAN–Japan partnership.
“In a time marked by the shifting tides of geopolitics and uncertainty, it is our young people, our educators, our artists, and our cultural workers who carry forward the torch of understanding, empathy, and enduring friendship between our regions,” the President said.
Takaichi made history on 20 October 2025, as Japan’s first female prime minister. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party and a protégé of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, she is known for her conservative stance on national security and economic policy.
This marks her first attendance at the ASEAN Summit, underscoring Japan’s commitment to regional cooperation and partnership with ASEAN nations.
