The upgrading of a comprehensive strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan underscores how the allies are future-proofing their ties amid growing uncertainty in the Indo-Pacific, analysts say.

“This milestone reflects the strength, depth and breadth of our ties as we respond to the evolving challenges and opportunities of our time,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr said on Thursday at a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo.

The talks also “reaffirmed our commitment to further advance cooperation” across key areas, including economic partnership, energy resilience, decarbonisation, defence and security cooperation, maritime affairs and emerging and future-oriented sectors, he said.

Takaichi called Manila “one of the closest like-minded countries for Japan” and said cooperation between the two nations “is extremely important in realising the updated Free and Open Indo-Pacific”.

During his four-day state visit, Marcos addressed the Diet and met Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, where he received the country’s highest honour for heads of state who have provided “exceptional service and contributions to Japan”.

The partnership between Japan and the Philippines “has reached a pinnacle, but yet we continue to aim for higher summits”, Marcos told the Diet.