Philippine Embassy Highlights Strong Philippines-Japan Friendship During Namiki Secondary School Visit
Students and faculty members from Namiki Secondary School with Philippine Embassy officials during the students’ visit in the chancery on 30 July 2025.
TOKYO, 5 August 2025 -The Philippine Embassy welcomed students and faculty members from Namiki Secondary School during the school’s first-ever visit to the Chancery in Tokyo on 30 July 2025.
The visit featured a cultural presentation and a briefing on Philippines-Japan relations, underscoring the importance that the Embassy places on fortifying people-to-people ties between the two countries through engagement with educational institutions.
The Embassy also discussed the two countries’ vibrant friendship and multi-faceted partnership; the participation of the Philippines in the World Expo Osaka 2025; and milestone celebrations in 2026, including the 70th anniversary of the normalization of Philippines-Japan diplomatic relations.
A lively and engaging discussion followed the presentation, during which students and faculty expressed keen interest in various aspects of Philippine culture, heritage, history, governance, and agriculture, including the country’s renowned bananas. The visit also touched on the Ramon Magsaysay Awards, often referred to as “Asia’s Nobel Prize,” and featured a brief background on the prize and its Japanese laureates, including the most recent awardee, Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, in 2024.
“These visits are a great way to share our culture and stories, but more importantly, they help build genuine friendships between our peoples. After all, it is today’s youth who will carry the torch of Philippines-Japan relations into the future,” said Philippine Ambassador to Japan in a separate statement.
Namiki Secondary School (茨城県立並木中等教育学校) is a public combined junior and senior high school, which was established in April 2008 and is located in Ibaraki Prefecture. It is recognized for its strong emphasis on science and research, and has been designated as a “specialty science school”. The school visit was led by faculty members, Ms. Masami Tomiyama and Ms. Naomi Arayama.
Namiki Secondary School students inquired into topics ranging from the colors of the Philippine flag to environmental issues and policy, and the work of the Philippine Embassy in Japan.
