Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya has underscored the various aspects of partnership between Manila and Tokyo to mark the 69th Japan-Philippines Friendship Day.

In his writeup titled “A Friendship Woven in Trust: Commemorating 69 Years of Japan-Philippines Ties,” posted on the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines’ website, Endo described the economic partnership between the two nations as an “important thread.”

“Japan has been consistently supporting sustainable development in the Philippines. The past year has seen a significant bolstering of our economic cooperation, with Japan contributing to quality infrastructure projects in the country,” the Japanese envoy said.

“These include the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP), the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), and the Davao City Bypass Construction Project—all funded by Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Apart from these projects, this year, we also celebrate the 60th anniversary of JICA’s Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV), which has been providing grassroots support for the development of various countries, including the Philippines,” Endo said.

He added that Japan also remains as one of the top investors in the Philippines, especially in Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) locations with cumulative investments exceeding P550 billion and direct employment of over 300,000 Filipinos.

“Following the relaxation of foreign ownership rules in retail, we’ve recently welcomed several prominent Japanese brands. Nitori opened its first store in 2024, shortly after I assumed my post last year. In addition, Mitsukoshi BGC opened in mid-2023. These are landmarks in the growing Japanese retail presence in our market,” he said.

“Japan also continues to extend its steadfast support for the peace process in the Bangsamoro region, through the three pillars of the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD). These efforts encompass capacity-building for the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), assistance in the transformation of former combatant communities into progressive and resilient societies, and the provision of socio-economic development assistance. As we look forward to the first Bangsamoro Parliament elections, we recognize this milestone as a significant stride towards achieving lasting peace and prosperity in the region,” he added.

The Japanese envoy, moreover, said “security cooperation thread” is growing evidence of deepening trust between the Philippines and Japan, “driven by our shared commitment to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).”

“This concept, promoting peace, stability, and prosperity across the region through ensuring rules-based international order, has certainly been realized by our bilateral cooperation. The Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) signed in July 2024, for instance, has emerged as a landmark achievement for our two countries,” Endo said.

The RAA will grant access to military personnel from both states to hold joint trainings in each other’s country.

Similar to the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States, the RAA is Japan’s third defense accord after the United Kingdom and Australia.

“Its unanimous approval by the Philippine Senate in December of the same year and its approval by the Japanese Diet last June underscore our shared commitment to regional peace and stability. In the recently held Japan-Philippines Summit Meeting, our two leaders further agreed to commence negotiations on an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA). The meeting also confirmed the importance of an early conclusion of an Agreement on the Security of Information,” Endo said.

Earlier this month, Japanese media reported that Japan was set to export six warships to the Philippines.

The envoy said Japan’s support for the Philippines’ security capabilities remains well represented through the Official Security Assistance (OSA) scheme.

“At present, the Philippines holds the distinction of being the first recipient of the OSA, as well as the only country to have been granted OSA funding for two consecutive years. Japan is further conducting a feasibility study for the OSA for the third year,” Endo said.

“We have also witnessed the frequent conduct of Maritime Cooperative Activities (MCA) and increased port visits by Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) vessels in the country. This year, in fact, we had the honor of hosting the 71st Anniversary of the Japan Self-Defense Forces aboard the JMSDF vessel, JS ISE, during its visit at the Port of Manila,” he added.

The envoy also cited the High-Level Launch Meeting of the Friends of the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) in September 2024, alongside the Philippines, exemplifies our collaborative approach.

“As fellow members of the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative, we are working together to enhance cooperation in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation,” Endo said.

Cultural ties

The envoy highlighted the Filipinos’ growing interest in Japanese culture, citing the record-high of over 820,000 Filipino visitors to Japan last year.

“With the recent opening of the Japan Visa Application Center (JVAC), we are optimistic about sustaining this encouraging trend in the years ahead,” Endo said.

“With tourism a promising source of shared experiences, our ties continue to find renewal through the personal encounters Filipinos have with Japanese culture. In our lively receptions at the Ambassador’s Residence, I’ve had the privilege of hearing about the lasting friendships and experiences forged by Filipino participants in the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme and recipients of the Japanese Government Scholarship (MEXT),” he said.

“Meanwhile, the aspirations of our Filipino JDS (Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship) Fellows and SSEAYP (Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program) delegates have also been a glowing testament to deepening people-to-people exchanges with the Philippines,” he added.