Philippine Embassy Marks Conclusion of Smart City and Innovation Training Program in Japan
Seated (from right): Ambassador Mylene J. Garcia-Albano, AOTS President Yasuhiko YOSHIDA, DOST Undersecretary Sancho Mabborang, and Philippine Embassy Economic Officer Alvin Malasig with DOST regional directors.
TOKYO, 21 February 2026 – Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano attended the closing ceremony of the Training Program on Smart City and Innovation held on 13 February 2026 at the Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships (AOTS) Tokyo Kenshu Center.
Ambassador Garcia-Albano delivers a message during the Training Program on Smart City and Innovation closing ceremony.
The week-long program, organized by AOTS in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), brought together DOST regional directors led by Undersecretary Sancho Mabborang, for an intensive learning exchange on Japan’s smart city initiatives, public-private partnerships, and innovation-driven urban development.
Conducted from 9 to 13 February 2026, the training featured lectures and site visits highlighting Japan’s experience in sustainable urban solutions. Participants visited leading smart city facilities and local government initiatives, including the NTT e-City Labo, smart mobility initiatives in Nikko, the Panasonic Tokyo Shiodome Showroom, Haneda Innovation City, and the Fujisawa Sustainable Smart Town.
In her congratulatory remarks, Ambassador Garcia-Albano underscored the significance of the initiative in the context of the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan.
“As the Philippine economy continues to grow, we are also confronted with increasingly complex challenges arising from rapid urbanization and the intensifying impacts of climate change. Addressing these challenges requires innovative, science-based, and sustainable solutions, as well as strong partnerships among government, the private sector, academia, and organizations such as AOTS,” the Ambassador said.
The program forms part of AOTS’ continuing efforts to promote human resource development and global partnerships. Established in 1959, AOTS has trained more than 208,000 participants from 170 countries and regions in Japan and has implemented extensive overseas programs to support sustainable development and innovation.
Ambassador Garcia-Albano reaffirmed the Embassy’s support for initiatives that deepen Philippines–Japan collaboration in science, technology, and sustainable urban development, particularly as both countries advance shared goals of innovation and resilience.
