President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. participates in a sake barrel ceremonial after leading the groundbreaking ceremony for two Metro Manila Subway stations on Oct. 3 in Pasig City, which he said is expected to benefit 150,000 passengers in 2028. (Photo by Gelaine Louise Gutierrez/PIA-NCR file)

MANILA, (PIA) -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to sign seven key bilateral agreements in his official working visit to Japan on Feb. 8-12, 2023.

This includes agreements in the infrastructure, agriculture, and information and communications technology (ICT) sectors, according to DFA Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Neal Imperial in a Malacanang press briefing Wednesday.

"During the visit, we anticipate the signing of seven key bilateral documents or agreements covering cooperation in infrastructure development, defense, agriculture and information and communications technology, areas that are in the President's priority agenda," Imperial said, adding that this will reaffirm the “strong and vibrant relations between the Philippines and Japan.”

There, Imperial said that Pres. Marcos would meet with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to discuss a “broad range of bilateral ad regional” of issues.

"Both leaders will discuss a broad range of bilateral and regional issues to further strengthen the cooperation of both countries in the second decade of their strategic partnership," he said.

Their historic meeting will be followed by a working dinner hosted by the Japanese leader.

Pres. Marcos will be joined by First Lady Louise "Liza" Araneta-Marcos, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Speaker Martin Romualdez, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Energy Secretary Rafael Lotilla, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr., and Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil during this trip.

The DFA official also said the First Couple would be given an audience with Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at an unspecified date and time.

Pres. Marcos is also scheduled to meet with the Filipino community in Japan before returning to Manila on Feb. 12. (PIA-NCR)