Philippines-Japan Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries (JCAF) Successfully Convened in Tokyo
Undersecretary Alvin John F. Balagbag (5th from right) and the Department of Agriculture delegates to the Philippines-Japan Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries call on Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia Albano (5th from left).
TOKYO, 20 July 2026 – The 2nd Philippines- Japan Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries (JCAF) Meeting between the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) and Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) was successfully held on 02-03 July 2026 in Tokyo. During the State Visit to Japan of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Philippines and Japan upgraded its existing agriculture agreement between the DA and MAFF through the signing of the enhanced Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) in Agriculture Cooperation to include Fisheries. The enhanced MOC established the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries to strengthen the cooperation, exchange views on issues of mutual interest, and explore new areas of collaboration for the benefit of both our countries and peoples.
Anchored on the recently signed Philippines-Japan Memorandum on Cooperation on Agriculture, which now includes fisheries, the 2nd JCAF meeting was hosted by MAFF on 02 July 2026 in Tokyo.
DA Undersecretary Alvin John F. Balagbag led the Philippine delegation to the 2nd JCAF meeting. The Japanese delegation was led by MAFF Deputy Assistant Minister Hideki Hagiwara. Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano, together with Agriculture Attache Aleli Maghirang of the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, also participated in the meeting.
2nd Philippines-Japan Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Meeting, 02 July 2026, MAFF Tokyo, Japanwith (front L-R) Agriculture Attache Aleli Maghirang, DA Undersecretary Alvin John F Balagbag, Ambassador Mylene J. Garcia-Albano, MAFF Deputy Assistant Minister Hideki HAGIWARA and Director Ritsuko YONEDA, and delegates from the Philippine Department of Agriculture and Japan Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The meeting discussed several priority market-access matters, including the proposed reciprocal access of Philippine fresh pomelo to the Japanese market and Japanese fresh grapes to the Philippine market; the revision of export work plans for Philippine fresh mangos; reciprocal market access for poultry products through recognition of regionalization arrangements in both countries; and fisheries regulations. Also discussed were various official development assistance (ODA) and technical cooperation projects in agriculture and fisheries between the Philippines and Japan, including projects under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and ASEAN Midori Cooperation.
Ambassador Garcia-Albano said that the JCAF meeting took place at a particularly significant moment in Philippines–Japan relations, as it coincided with several important milestones. Following closely on the heels of the successful State Visit of President Marcos Jr. to Japan, the meeting provided a timely opportunity to translate the vision and commitments of the leaders into concrete cooperation and tangible outcomes for the benefit of peoples of both countries.
“[The meeting] is also taking place in July, the month when the Philippines and Japan normalized diplomatic relations 70 years ago – a milestone that reminds us of the enduring strength of our partnership. This year likewise marks the 20th anniversary of the Philippines–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA), which our leaders have agreed to modernize. As trade in agricultural products remains a vital pillar of PJEPA, we look forward to working together to enhance its provisions for our mutual benefit,” Ambassador Garcia-Albano said.
“The Philippines and Japan have broadened their agricultural partnership to include fisheries – a move expected to accelerate technology transfer, strengthen food security, and support the modernization of two sectors critical to the livelihoods of our people. We hope to accelerate our market access for agriculture and fisheries to Japan as well as progress on our longstanding request for improved tariff treatment for Philippine banana exports under PJEPA” Undersecretary Balagbag remarked.
Undersecretary Balagbag (center) and the Department of Agriculture delegates to the Green X Expo 2027 International participants Meeting (IPM) call on Ambassador Garcia-Albano (4th from left).
With the DA leading the Philippines’ participation in the International Horticultural Expo 2027, Undersecretary Balagbag also headed another DA delegation to the Green X Expo International Participants’ Meeting (IPM) held from 30 June 30 to 1 July 2026 in Yokohama.
