President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday wished “abundant blessings” for Japanese Emperor Naruhito on his birthday and committed to actively sustaining the “positive trajectory” of Philippines’ relations with its long time-ally, Japan.

The President gave the well wishes in his toast remarks at the National Day of Japan and the celebration of the birthday of Japanese Emperor Naruhito, whom the chief executive met during his recent working visit to Tokyo.

“The breadth and depth of our engagement with Japan is a partnership for peace and progress, not only for Japan but certainly for the Philippines. Our strategic partnership is indeed stronger than ever,” the President said.

“I wish abundant happiness and blessings to His Majesty The Emperor as he leads Japan to continued prosperity and the promotion of peace,” President Marcos pointed out.

In his meeting with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, the President conveyed the affection and admiration of the Filipino people, including the estimated 300,000 Filipinos who consider Japan their second home.

The chief executive also met with Prime Minister Kishida and discussed a broad range of cooperation, “revealing just how responsive and robust our partnership has grown since we established diplomatic relations in 1956.”

“We had a harvest of several agreements from agriculture and infrastructure to defense and information and communications technology,” the President said.

In his speech, the President described Japan as a “friend, neighbor and strategic partner.”

“Japan has been one of our steadfast partners in the efforts to realize the Philippines’ transformative agenda – in infrastructure, in social inclusion, in defense, to name but a few,” Marcos said.

The President also underscored the “vibrant” people-to-people cooperation in tourism and labor exchanges and lauded Japan’s unwavering support for peace and development in Mindanao. (PND)