Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia Albano (onstage, 2nd from right) joins the panel discussion on “Building Resilience and Strength through Comprehensive Security” at the 2026 Japan-Philippines Friendship Year Commemorative Symposium held on 8 July 2026 at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Tokyo.

TOKYO, 13 July 2026 – As the Philippines and Japan commemorate the 70th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations this year, the Philippine Embassy in Japan and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) convened the 2026 Japan-Philippines Friendship Year Commemorative Symposium on 8 July 2026 to explore new avenues for cooperation under the newly forged Philippines-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Titled, “Charting New Frontiers: Building the Next 70 Years of Philippines–Japan Partnership”, the hybrid symposium brought together government officials, foreign policy experts, academics, private sector representatives, members of the Filipino community in Japan, and other stakeholders to discuss how both countries can deepen cooperation in security, economic resilience, innovation, and people-to-people exchanges following the elevation of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s State Visit to Japan in May 2026.

In her opening remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano called on stakeholders to contribute in realizing a long-term vision for the Philippines-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, in which economic prosperity and regional security are framed as sustainable objectives.

“Cultivating the milestones borne from people-to-people exchanges between Filipinos and Japanese in all sectors of society, we must maximize the possibilities of expanding partnerships to various fields, and empower our citizens and communities as co-architects of the Philippines-Japan friendship,” Ambassador Garcia-Albano said.

Ambassador Garcia-Albano shares her insights on Philippines-Japan relations during the symposium.

In a pre-recorded message, Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro emphasized that the Philippines and Japan should continue to pursue a comprehensive approach to security that extends beyond traditional defense cooperation to include food and energy security, resilient infrastructure, secure supply chains, quality employment, and maritime safety. She also remarked on the potential
of Filipino and Japanese communities to collaborate in cultivating future engines of growth.

“It is my hope that this symposium will contribute to the blossoming of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Amidst challenges, our shared commitment to peace, prosperity, and the empowerment of our peoples will remain our guiding north star,” Secretary Lazaro remarked.

Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro delivers remarks through a video message during the symposium.

In his video message, Japan Foreign Minister Toshimitsu MOTEGI hailed the Philippines as one of Japan’s closest like-minded countries that share fundamental values and principles, and expressed Japan’s commitment to advancing security cooperation and nurturing the foundations of the two countries’ bilateral ties.

“Japan will further deepen cooperation with the Philippines across a wide range of fields, toward the realization of an updated ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)’ and the next 70 years of our partnership with the Philippines,“ Foreign Minister Motegi said.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi delivers his video message during the symposium.

Philippine Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, Senate Majority Floor Leader and Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, delivered a keynote video lecture that opened the symposium’s panel discussion on “Building Resilience and Strength through Comprehensive Security”. Reflecting on the strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan, Senator Zubiri underscored the importance of maintaining a rules-based regional order and strengthening bilateral security and defense cooperation.

“We have had to learn to protect our sovereignty with all of our might. So we are very… grateful to have Japan in our corner not only through diplomatic support for the Arbitral Ruling, but also through security assistance and joint exercises that help boost our defense capabilities,” Senator Zubiri remarked ahead of the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea on 12 July.

Philippine Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri delivers his video lecture on Philippines-Japan security and defense cooperation.

The panel for the discussion on “Building Resilience and Strength through Comprehensive Security” included Ambassador Garcia-Albano, Hon. Yoshiaki WADA of Japan’s House of Representatives, and Mr. Ippeita NISHIDA of SPF. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Saya KIBA of the Kobe City University of Foreign Studies.

Drawing from his visits to the Philippines and his previous role as Special Senior Adviser to the Minister of Defense during the second Kishida administration, Hon. Wada said that Japan and the Philippines must be determined to resist unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the South China Sea, and speak with a united voice to the international community in upholding a rules-based order.

Hon. Yoshiaki Wada discusses the advancements in Philippines-Japan security cooperation during the symposium.

Following the panel discussion on comprehensive security, Filipino-Japanese actress and model Maryjun TAKAHASHI shared her personal reflections on growing up between two cultures, illustrating how the enduring friendship between the Philippines and Japan is ultimately expressed through the experiences and aspirations of their peoples.

Building on this human dimension of the bilateral relationship, Professor Shun OHNO of Kyoto University delivered a special lecture that examined the evolving foundations of Philippines-Japan people-to-people relations.

The symposium concluded with a panel discussion on “Navigating Frontiers of Cooperation through People-to-People Exchanges,” exploring how academic collaboration and cultural exchanges can further strengthen bilateral ties. Joining the discussion were Dr. Chitoshi MIKI, Dr. Ines Yamanouchi Mallari of the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, and Dr. Myra Villareal of Sophia University.

Filipino-Japanese actress Maryjun Takahashi shares her personal journey as someone who embodies the close cultural ties between the Philippines and Japan.

The panelists of the symposium discuss new frontiers of people-to-people exchanges between the Philippines and Japan.

The symposium was attended by more than 200 onsite and online participants from various sectors of Japanese and Philippine societies.

Established in 1986, SPF aims to advance international exchange and cooperation between Japan and other countries to address a wide range of issues. During the symposium, SPF Executive Director Nobuko KAYASHIMA highlighted the Foundation’s 40th anniversary, reaffirming its commitment to fostering dialogue, cooperation, and building relationships that contribute to peace, stability, and sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific. SPF’s engagements with the Philippines include the participation of Filipino leaders in its Asian Statepersons’ Forum, and studies and support services that advance the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

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