PH Embassy Highlights Filipino Community’s Role In Strengthening PH-JP Friendship at Michikoto United Anniversary
Philippine Embassy in Japan Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Christian L. De Jesus (front row, center) and Rev. Fr. Philip Ilio Bonifacio, SSC (front row, fourth from left) with members of the Filipino Community during the 21st Anniversary of MICHIKOTO United on 30 August 2026 at the Omori Catholic Church in Ota City, Tokyo.
TOKYO, 08 September 2026 – The Philippine Embassy in Japan joined the Filipino Communities from Matsudo, Koiwa, Toyoshiki, Omori, and Ichikawa in celebrating the 21st Anniversary of MICHIKOTO United, a religious organization composed of five (5) Filipino communities in Chiba prefecture and Tokyo. The milestone event, held on 30 August 2026 at the Omori Catholic Church in Ota City, Tokyo, brought together the Filipino Community for spiritual reflection and vibrant cultural presentations that highlighted the solidarity of the Filipino diaspora in Japan and their contribution to strengthening Philippines-Japan Friendship.
Members of the Filipino communities from Matsudo, Koiwa, Toyoshiki, Omori, and Ichikawa gather to celebrate the 21st Anniversary of MICHIKOTO United, a religious organization composed of five Filipino communities in Chiba prefecture and Tokyo.
The anniversary celebration commenced with a Mass concelebrated by Monsignor Joseph Pranconi, representing H.E. Archbishop Francisco Escalante Molina, the Apostolic Nuncio to Japan, and Filipino priest Rev. Fr. Philip Ilio Bonifacio, SSC of the Omori Catholic Church. Following the Mass, attendees were treated to a lively cultural performance by the Pinoy Rondalla Tokyo, together with presentations of the 5 participating Filipino communities. In true Filipino tradition, the gathering concluded with a festive salu-salo featuring Filipino delicacies.
On behalf of Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano, Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Christian L. De Jesus expressed the Philippine Embassy’s support for the Filipino Communities from Matsudo, Koiwa, Toyoshiki, Omori, and Ichikawa, collectively known as “MICHIKOTO United,” during the organization’s 21st anniversary celebration.
“This gathering is especially meaningful as we celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Normalization of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of the Philippines and Japan. Over the past seven decades, our two countries have built a friendship founded on mutual respect, trust, and close people-to-people ties, and you – our kababayan here in Japan – are an important part of that story,” highlighted Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Christian L. De Jesus, during his remarks.
The Embassy’s Consular Section brought overseas voter registration during the celebration, bringing the service closer to members of MICHIKOTO United and other eligible Filipino citizens in attendance.
As part of its continuing efforts to bring its services closer to the Filipinos across Japan, the Embassy also conducted overseas voter registration during the anniversary celebration. This initiative successfully registered eligible Filipino citizens in attendance ahead of the 2028 Philippine National Elections.
