Philippine Senate Delegation Strengthens Parliamentary Ties With Japan During Official Visit
Philippine Senate President Sherwin T. Gatchalian (top row, 2nd from left) leads a Senate delegation on an official visit to Japan from 4-8 November 2026, upon the invitation of Japanese Senate President Masakazu SEKIGUCHI (top row, 2nd from right). (Photo courtesy of Japan Senate)
TOKYO, 11 November 2026 – A delegation from the Senate of the Philippines, led by Senate President Sherwin T. Gatchalian, undertook an official visit to Japan from 04 to 08 November 2026, at the invitation of Japanese House of Councillors (Senate) President Masakazu SEKIGUCHI, to strengthen inter-parliamentary exchanges and advance the Philippines-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The visit formed part of the activities commemorating the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan, being celebrated this year under the theme “Weaving the Future Together: Peace, Prosperity, Possibilities.” It underscored the important role of parliamentary diplomacy in sustaining the longstanding friendship between the two countries and pursuing shared priorities in peace, security, economic development, and regional cooperation.
The delegation comprised Senate President Gatchalian; Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, Senate Majority Leader, Chairperson of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and President of the Philippines-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Association; and Senators Joseph Victor G. Ejercito, Francis N. Pangilinan, Manuel M. Lapid, Rafael “Raffy” Tulfo, Mark A. Villar, and Erwin T. Tulfo. Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano also joined the official engagements.
(L-R) Senator Erwin T. Tulfo, Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito, Ambassador Mylene J. Garcia-Albano, Senate President Sherwin T. Gatchalian, former Japanese Prime Minister and Supreme Advisor to the Parliamentary Association of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Fumio KISHIDA, Senate Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, Senator Rafael Tulfo, Senator Manuel M. Lapid, and Senator Francis N. Pangilinan.
During the visit, Senate President Gatchalian and his fellow Senators met with Japan Senate President Sekiguchi, Vice President Tetsuro FUKUYAMA, and other members of the Japanese Senate, reaffirming the commitment of both legislatures to deepen dialogue, strengthen institutional linkages, and promote closer cooperation on issues of mutual concern.
(L-R) Senator Erwin T. Tulfo, Senator Manuel M. Lapid, Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito, Senate President Sherwin T. Gatchalian, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu MOTEGI, Senate Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, Senator Francis N. Pangilinan, and Ambassador Mylene J. Garcia-Albano.
The Philippine lawmakers also paid courtesy calls on Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu MOTEGI, former Prime Minister and Supreme Advisor to the Parliamentary Association of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Fumio KISHIDA, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Eisuke MORI. These engagements provided opportunities to exchange views on the positive trajectory of bilateral relations, particularly in security, economic cooperation, sustainable development, and people-to-people exchanges.
The Philippine Senate delegation, led by Senate President Sherwin T. Gatchalian, (7th from right) engages with the Japanese House of Representatives led by Speaker Eisuke MORI (6th from left). Also in the photo is Bukidnon 3rd District Representative Audrey Kay T. Zubiri (5th from right) and Ambassador Mylene J. Garcia-Albano (rightmost).
Further strengthening parliamentary linkages, the senators engaged with members of the Japan-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship League (JPPFL) and the Japan-ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Exchange Group at the House of Councillors. The discussions highlighted the importance of sustained legislative exchanges in reinforcing bilateral friendship and supporting cooperation between Japan and ASEAN.
(Top photo) The Philippine Senate delegation, led by Senate President Sherwin T. Gatchalian, (seated, 5th from left) engages with the executive officials of the Japan-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship League chaired by Hon. Hiroshi MORIYAMA (seated, 4th from left).
(Bottom photo) The Philippine Senate delegation, led by Senate President Sherwin T. Gatchalian, (seated, 5th from left) meets with the executive officials of the Japan-ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Exchange Group, led by their president, Hon. Hirofumi NAKASONE (seated, 4th from left).
At a meeting with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Akihiko TANAKA, Senate President Gatchalian presented a Philippine Senate resolution and a certificate of appreciation in recognition of JICA’s longstanding contributions to Philippine development, particularly in infrastructure, peace and development in Mindanao, and people-to-people cooperation.
The Philippine Senate delegation presents to JICA President, Dr. Akihiko TANAKA (4th from left), a copy of Senate Resolution No. 76, adopted in September 2026 recognizing, congratulating, and commending the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for its vital contributions to Philippine development. (L-R) Senator Mark A. Villar, Senator Erwin T. Tulfo, Senate Majority Floor Leader and principal author of SR 673 Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, Dr. Tanaka, Senate President Sherwin T. Gatchalian, Senator Francis N. Pangilinan, Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito, Senator Manuel M. Lapid, and Ambassador Mylene J. Garcia-Albano.
The visit also included a meeting with Honorary Chairman Yohei SASAKAWA and other senior officials of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, during which both sides discussed the valuable contributions of Japanese institutions to maritime cooperation, peacebuilding, capacity development, and other initiatives supporting the Philippines’ long-term development and resilience.
(L-R) Senator Manuel M. Lapid, Senator Rafael Tulfo, Ambassador Mylene J. Garcia-Albano, Senate Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, Sasakawa Peace Foundation Honorary Chair Dr. Yohei SASAKAWA, Senate President Sherwin T. Gatchalian, Sasakawa Peace Foundation President Dr. Atsushi SUNAMI, Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito, Senator Erwin T. Tulfo, and Senator Francis N. Pangilinan.
“As we celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations, this visit demonstrates that the Philippines-Japan partnership is also sustained by strong and enduring ties between our legislatures,” Ambassador Garcia-Albano said. “Beyond fostering closer ties among lawmakers, parliamentary exchanges provide opportunities to share legislative experiences, advance cooperation on common policy priorities, and support the implementation of agreements and initiatives that bring concrete benefits to our peoples.”
The official visit built on the growing momentum of high-level exchanges between the two countries, including the State Visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to Japan in May 2026, during which the Philippines and Japan elevated their bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
