SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday said the two-day official visit to the Philippines of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, including his visit to the House of Representatives to address Congress’ special joint session on November 4, 2023 is expected to open new doors of collaboration that are mutually beneficial between the two countries.
Romualdez, head of the 300-plus strong House of Representatives, said the visit of Kishida and wife Yuko to meet President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. will mark another significant milestone in the strong diplomatic alliance of the Philippines and Japanese governments.
“We are optimistic that through our discussions, new pathways for collaboration and development will emerge, promising enhanced opportunities and a brighter future for all Filipinos, here and in Japan,” Romualdez said.
“We warmly welcome His Excellency Kishida Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, on his significant official visit to our country on November 3 and 4 this year. It is with great anticipation that we look forward to his address to the Congress of the Republic of the Philippines in a Special Joint Session on November 4, 2023, at 11:00 in the morning,” the top House leader said.
“The House of Representatives, as the honored venue host of this significant event in the Batasang Pambansa Complex, is committed to exerting all efforts to ensure that Prime Minister Kishida’s visit is both fruitful and memorable,” he said.
The Speaker said the visit is expected to cover a wide range of very important topics, with a focus on strengthening the excellent relations and exploring opportunities for the two countries.
He said the Philippines and Japan are committed to turning the two-day visit into concrete collaborations that will not only strengthen bilateral relations but also contribute to global peace and prosperity.
“This visit, symbolizing the deep and longstanding bond our nations have forged, built on mutual respect, shared values, and a unified vision for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, signifies the strength of our bilateral ties,” Romualdez stressed.
“On behalf of the Filipino people, I extend our heartfelt appreciation to Prime Minister Kishida and wish him a successful and impactful visit to our shores,” Romualdez added.
