PRESIDENT Marcos said he is looking forward to deeper diplomatic ties between Manila and Tokyo following the election of Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, Japan’s first female leader.
In a social media post, the Chief Executive congratulated Takaichi for her historic election on Tuesday.
‘Her assumption demonstrates Japan’s firm democratic advocacy, and reflects the country’s commitment to progress and representation,’ Marcos said.
‘I look forward to working with her in commemorating the 70th Anniversary of [Philippines-Japan] diplomatic ties in 2026, and in deepening the Strengthened Strategic Partnership for the peace and prosperity of our peoples,’ he added.
Takaichi is the third Japanese Prime Minister Marcos will deal with since he assumed presidency in 2022.
The 64-year-old lawmaker, who is a professed admirer of England’s Margaret Thatcher, said she wants to become Japan’s ‘Iron Lady.’
Among the former Japanese Prime Ministers Marcos interacted with were Shigeru Ishiba and Fumio Kishida.
Both resigned owing to mounting pressures from their political party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
Kishida left his post after it was revealed that LDP funds were illegally funneled in the private accounts of some lawmakers as well as the stagnating Japanese economy. In the case of Ishiba, it was due to poor performance of LDP candidates in a snap election, which he called last September.