PH Embassy Highlights Contribution of Filipino JDS Fellows in Strengthening PH-JP People-to-People Relations
Philippine Embassy in Japan Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Christian L. De Jesus (4th from left) with the latest group of outgoing Filipino JDS fellows, namely, Ms. Diane Domingo (2nd from left), Ms. Hanna Bianca Sasil (3rd from left), Mr. Rovin James Canja (4th from right), Ms. Jennelyn Fatallo (3rd from right) and Ms. Phoebe Jane Orijola (2nd from right) during the latter’s courtesy call on 02 July 2026. Also in the photo are Ms. Sumiyo Miyatake of the International Student Programs Department of the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) (leftmost) and First Secretary and Consul Fatima G. Quintin (rightmost).
TOKYO, 07 July 2026 – The Philippine Embassy in Japan, led by Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Christian L. De Jesus, welcomed the latest group of Filipino civil servants who recently completed their postgraduate studies at various Japanese universities under Japan’s Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (formerly the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship) or JDS, during their courtesy call on 02 July 2026.
During the call, CDA De Jesus commended the Filipino JDS fellows, who are part of the 22nd batch from the Philippines, for their commitment to pursuing graduate studies in order to contribute more effectively to the Philippines’ socioeconomic development through their respective government agencies.
Philippine Embassy in Japan Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Christian L. De Jesus welcomes the latest group of outgoing Filipino JDS fellows during the latter’s courtesy call on 02 July 2026.
CDA De Jesus underscored that this year, the Philippines and Japan are celebrating 70th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations, and the Filipino JDS fellows form part of this important milestone, particularly in strengthening people-to-people relations between the two countries.
CDA De Jesus further noted that the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) has provided an excellent platform, through the JDS program, to bolster exchanges especially in the field of education and scholarly endeavors.
The Filipino JDS fellows, composed of Mr. Rovin James Canja, Ms. Phoebe Jane Orijola, Ms. Diane Domingo, and Ms. Jennelyn Fatallo who finished their respective graduate degrees at the International University of Japan, and Ms. Hanna Bianca Sasil who received her master’s degree at Hitotsubashi University, shared their experiences and research work related to education, ports management, local government fiscal policies, procurement, and taxation.
The group was accompanied by Ms. Sumiyo MIYATAKE of the International Student Programs Department of JICE during the courtesy call.
Another group from the 22nd batch of Filipino JDS fellows is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on the Embassy in August 2026.
The JDS, whose recipients are primarily civil servants from countries receiving Japan’s Official Development Assistance, provides opportunities for government officials to pursue graduate studies at leading Japanese educational institutions. Since its establishment in the Philippines in 2002, the program has benefited nearly 500 Filipino fellows.
On 28 May 2026, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro and Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines Kazuya Endo signed an Exchange of Notes for the JDS program that would allow Filipino civil servants to pursue graduate studies at Japanese universities for the 2027-2028 academic year. The signing took place during the State Visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Japan.
