June 20, 2025
MANILA – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has flown to Japan to inaugurate the Philippine Pavilion at the Expo 2025 Osaka and to meet with businessmen and the Filipino community there.
Malacañang announced the President’s departure in a press briefing on Thursday afternoon, forgoing the usual predeparture briefings reserved for his foreign trips.
Marcos was accompanied by a small, unnamed delegation.
In a message to Palace reporters, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Michael Ubac said the President arrived in Japan at 6:05 p.m. (Japan time) aboard a private aircraft.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro did not give the exact departure time of the President from Manila, but only said he left shortly after noon.
“The President’s visit is to visit and inaugurate the Philippine Pavilion at the Expo 2025 Osaka. This features our rich culture and our beautiful landscapes. This is part of our efforts to boost tourism,” she said.
He is expected to return on Saturday.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III, and Education Secretary Sonny Angara were designated as caretakers of the executive branch in the President’s absence.