PH Ambassador Highlights Contributions of AFSJ In Strengthening PH-JP Friendship, Support For Filipino Students in Japan During Online Induction Ceremony
Above photos: Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano officiates the online induction rites of the newly-elected Executive Committee of the Association of Filipino Students in Japan (AFSJ) held on 13 May 2026.
TOKYO, 25 May 2026 – The Philippine Embassy in Japan reaffirmed its support for the Associaion of Filipino Students in Japan (AFSJ) during the online induction ceremony of its Executive Committee.
Philippine Ambassador Mylene J. Garcia-Albano officiated the induction rites.
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano delivers her remarks during the online induction rites of the newly-elected Executive Committee of the Association of Filipino Students in Japan (AFSJ) held on 13 May 2026.
“I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the Executive Committee of the AFSJ for the academic year 2026-2027. As you embark on your respective roles and responsibilities as officers of the student organization, I assure you of the Embassy’s continued partnership for the organization’s initiatives to support Filipino students in Japan, and to promote the best of the Philippines in our host country,” highlighted Ambassador Garcia-Albano during her remarks.
Ambassador Garcia-Albano commended AFSJ for its role in further strengthening people-to-people ties between the Philippines and Japan, especially in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the countries this year. One of these initiatives is the student organization’s annual knowledge and research colloquium, “Dunong”, whose 2026 iteration was hosted by the Embassy on 11-12 April 2026 and forms part of the commemorative activities for this milestone year.
As part of the Embassy’s continuing collaboration with AFSJ, a database of Filipino students and scholars in Japan is being developed, together with other Filipino student organizations in the host country. Envisioned as a repository of expertise in various fields, the platform aims to help connect returning Filipino scholars with meaningful opportunities in the Philippines where they can apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired in Japan and contribute to the country’s socioeconomic development.
In his message, Mr. Kevin Brandon Saure, AFSJ President and a doctoral student at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS), underscored the objectives of the current leadership of the organization to implement more initiatives to further cultivate camaraderie among its members and build more shared experiences, as well as to further expand the organization’s network to include more partners in Japan and the Philippines.
Mr. Saure is serving his second term as President of the organization while concurrently holding the position of Head of External of External Affairs.
The newly-elected Executive Committee of the Association of Filipino Students in Japan (AFSJ) for the academic year 2026-2027, namely, (from left to right) Mr. Kevin Brandon Saure, President and Head of External Affairs; Mr. Lianne Angelico Depante, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Ms. Maria Lourdes Braceros, Vice President for Internal Affairs; Ms. Princess Bernadette Estal, Vice President for Information and Communication; Mr. Andrei Joseph Policarpio, Vice President for Social and Cultural Affairs; and Ms. Imee Camille Advincula, Vice President for Student Welfare.
Completing AFSJ’s Executive Committee are Mr. Lianne Angelico Depante, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Ms. Maria Lourdes Braceros, Vice President for Internal Affairs; Ms. Princess Bernadette Estal, Vice President for Information and Communication; Mr. Andrei Joseph Policarpio, Vice President for Social and Cultural Affairs; and Ms. Imee Camille Advincula, Vice President for Student Welfare.
During the online event, AFSJ also presented the accomplishments of its previous executive committee, and the organization’s upcoming plans and programs including stronger partnerships with the Embassy and other entities, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and activities to address the wellbeing and welfare of its members and Filipino students in Japan.
Established in 1954, AFSJ currently has more than 150 members from universities and academic institutions across Japan. The group organizes regular learning sessions, research activities, and other socio-cultural initiatives for its members, and the broader Filipino student network in Japan and the Philippines.
