Marcos yet to decide on Japan invite
THE Philippines is still weighing Tokyo鈥檚 invitation for President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to visit Japan amid geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea with Beijing, the Palace said on Wednesday.
Nikkei Asia reported on Wednesday the Japanese government is in talks to invite Mr. Marcos to Japan as a state guest as early as next month.
He is expected to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to 鈥渃onfirm cooperation toward realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific and to coordinate responses to China鈥檚 maritime expansion.鈥
Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said nothing is confirmed as of Wednesday.
鈥淣othing is confirmed. We are still considering the invite,鈥 she told reporters via Viber.
Japan is joining the Philippines and the US鈥 annual military drills called Balikatan or shoulder to shoulder, alongside New Zealand, Canada and France from April 20 to May 8.
Beijing on April 20 criticized the expanded joint military exercises, warning that increased involvement of 鈥渆xternal forces鈥 in the Asia-Pacific could deepen regional divisions and erode mutual trust. 鈥 Chloe Mari A. Hufana
