Japanese Municipality of Minamimaki Supports Philippine Recovery From Typhoons Tino and Uwan
Minamimaki Municipal Mayor Yoshito ARISAKA formally presented to Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano Minamimaki’s donation of JPY 1,000,000.00 for the recovery and rebuilding efforts for communities affected by Typhoon Tino and Super Typhoon Uwan at a ceremony held on 12 February 2026 at the Official Residence of the Philippine Ambassador.
TOKYO, 19 February 2026 – In a simple ceremony held on 12 February 2026, representatives of the Municipality of Minamimaki, Nagano Prefecture, led by Mayor Yoshito Arisaka, formally presented a donation of JPY 1,000,000 to support the recovery and rebuilding of communities affected by Typhoon Tino and Super Typhoon Uwan, which struck the Philippines in November 2025.
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano received the Minamimaki delegation at her official residence in Tokyo.
Ambassador Garcia-Albano delivered her message at the turnover ceremony during the ceremonial turnover on 12 February 2026 held at the Ambassador’s official residence.
Ambassador Garcia-Albano expressed the Philippines’ deep appreciation to Minamimaki, describing the donation as a meaningful expression of solidarity with Filipino families affected by Typhoons Tino and Uwan.
“Beyond the monetary value, this support carries compassion, empathy, and the assurance that in times of difficulty, we are not alone. This year is especially meaningful as we mark the 70th anniversary of the normalization of Philippines–Japan diplomatic relations, built on decades of friendship, trust, and strong people-to-people ties. The support we receive today reflects the true spirit of that partnership,” said the Ambassador.
Typhoon Tino has severely impacted the provinces of Southern Leyte, Cebu, Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Palawan in November 2025, leaving more than 2.1 million families, or over 7.6 million individuals affected, with thousands still displaced due to widespread housing damage and disrupted livelihoods. Just days later, Typhoon Uwan made landfall in Aurora and swept across Luzon, damaging nearly half a million houses and displacing millions of families. While emergency response has shifted toward recovery, many families remain in evacuation centers or temporary shelters, relying on ongoing relief distributions, camp management, psychosocial support, and cash transfer programs to rebuild their lives and restore basic living conditions.
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia‑Albano (5th from left) welcomed the delegation from the Municipality of Minamimaki, Nagano, led by Mayor Yoshito Arisaka (4th from right). The Minamimaki delegation included Mr. Hitoshi Yoshizawa, Chair of the Village Council (3rd from right); Mr. Toshihiro Shimizu, Secretary General of the Japan Agricultural Exchange Council (2nd from right); and Mr. Kaname Takamizawa, Manager of the Industry and Construction Section of the Municipal Office (rightmost). Also in attendance were Embassy officials First Secretary and Consul Darell Artates (3rd from left), Agriculture Attaché Aleli G. Maghirang (2nd from left), and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Antonio Emmanuel Miranda (leftmost), during the ceremonial turnover held at the Ambassador’s official residence.
The Municipality of Minamimaki in Nagano Prefecture has maintained active engagement with the Philippines, particularly in the field of agriculture, through its sister-city partnerships with the municipalities of La Trinidad, Buguias, and Tublay in Benguet Province. This cooperation was further highlighted by the participation of Minamimaki municipal officials in the Philippine Festival 2025 in Tokyo.
