President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos (Photo courtesy of Malacañang/file)

MANILA, (PIA) -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s visit to Japan is expected to generate some P150 billion in substantial returns in terms of new projects, and around 8,000 job opportunities for Filipinos.

Pres. Marcos left for Tokyo this afternoon for a four-day visit, where he is set to push for Philippine priorities, particularly seven key bilateral agreements in trade, infrastructure development, industrial relations, defense, agriculture, disaster risk reduction and management, renewable energy, and information and communications technology.

In his departure speech at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City, the Chief Executive said he will be cultivating collaboration in areas “where future synergies and complementary interests converge with those of Japan.”

“My bilateral visit to Japan is essential and is part of a larger foreign policy agenda to forge closer political ties, stronger defense, and security cooperation, as well as lasting economic partnerships with major countries in the region amid a challenging global environment,” he said.

The President will start his official activities on Feb. 9, Thursday. There, he is scheduled to have a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to “take stock of our bilateral relations and regional cooperation in a broad range of engagements,” from security and economic relations to Manila and Tokyo’s continued commitment to mutual peace and prosperity.

“The Prime Minister and I expect to witness the signing and exchange of key agreements in the areas of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief infrastructure, agriculture, and digital cooperation,” he said.

Pres. Marcos said he and the First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos will be having an imperial audience with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, adding that he will also invite the Japanese royal couple to visit the Philippines.

Marcos will also meet with top executives and chairpersons of companies in Japan that focus on electronics, semiconductors, printers and wiring harness manufacturing that comprise the bulk of the Philippines’ industrial relations with Japan.

The Philippines has a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) called the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement or JPEPA.

He will also meet with CEOs of Japanese shipping companies and associations to advance partnerships with Philippine stakeholders in maritime education and welfare programs for Filipino seafarers.

Pres. Marcos said he also “looks forward” to his meeting with the Filipino community in Japan, citing their ever-so warm hospitality, before flying back to Manila on Feb 12. (PIA-NCR)