President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is currently in Osaka, Japan, leading a Philippine government delegation in a series of high-level engagements aimed at strengthening economic ties and promoting Philippine tourism.
On Friday morning, June 20, President Marcos Jr. held a significant courtesy call with key Japanese tourism stakeholders. The meeting, attended by Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, Philippine Ambassador to Tokyo Mylene Garcia-Albano, Philippine Consul General to Osaka Voltaire Mauricio, and other DOT officials, underscored the Philippines’ gratitude for Japan’s steadfast support in the growth and development of its tourism sector.
In his address, President Marcos Jr. expressed profound appreciation for the continued partnership with Japanese tourism partners, emphasizing the critical role of robust infrastructure and enhanced connectivity in showcasing the Philippines’ rich natural and cultural heritage. He highlighted these as essential drivers for the nation’s sustained prosperity.
The President shared optimistic updates on air connectivity between the two nations, noting an increase from 204 flights per week in 2019 to 214 flights per week currently. This expansion has also seen a rise in weekly seat capacity from 45,041 to 50,111 seats, reflecting growing travel demand.
President Marcos Jr. also detailed ongoing initiatives to make the Philippines a more attractive and accessible destination for international tourists. These include the continuous development of regional airports and improvement of road networks to enhance accessibility, the DOT’s innovative Philippine Experience Program (PEP), and important policy advancements such as the recently signed Executive Order No. 86 on the Introduction of the Digital Nomad Visa. Furthermore, efforts are underway to improve medical facilities in resort areas and provide continuous training for tourism workers, ensuring a high-quality visitor experience.
Japanese stakeholders present at the meeting shared their testimonials and messages of support, reaffirming their commitment to Philippine tourism. These included Mr. Takeshi Nakano, Vice Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism; Mr. Tsuyoshi Kitamura, Chairman of the Japan Association of Travel Agents–Kansai; Mr. Ken Kahihara, Chairman of the Japan Philippine Tourism Council; Mr. Shinji Yoshino, General Manager of the Kansai Regional Division/HIS Co., Ltd; Mr. Masahiro Seki, Executive Director and Western Japan Branch Manager of the Nippon Travel Agency; Mr. Tetsuya Kitagawa, Manager of Media Sales DIV 2 of the Hankyu Travel International Co., Ltd.; Mr. Fabien Gourdon, Corporate Executive Vice President Chief Commercial Officer of Kansai Sports; Mr. Tomoyuki Nagao, Country Manager of Philippine Airlines; and Mr. Tomohiko Matsumoto, Country Manager of Cebu Pacific.
As part of his working visit, President Marcos Jr. will also conduct a walkthrough at the Philippine Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka. This visit follows an invitation from Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru during his official visit to the Philippines in April. As of June 19, 2025, the Philippine Pavilion has already welcomed 372,611 visitors, showcasing the country’s vibrant culture and innovation to a global audience.
The President’s schedule in Osaka also includes a meeting with the Filipino community in Japan on Saturday, June 21.
