A friendship woven in trust: Commemorating 69 years of Japan-Philippines ties

Editor's Note: This is Ambassador ENDO Kazuya's written contribution on the occasion of Japan-Philippines Friendship Day on July 23

- Ambassador ENDO Kazuya

I sang mainit na pagbati sa lahat ng aking mga kaibigang Pilipino (Warm greetings to all my Filipino friends)! It is my great pleasure and honor to celebrate with you today the 69th Japan-Philippines Friendship Day.

As we commemorate this special occasion, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the ongoing Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan and, in particular the Philippine Pavilion. I had the privilege of visiting the Philippine Pavilion twice first, during the Philippine National Day and again during the visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos. On both occasions, I was deeply impressed by the thoughtful presentation of the Pavilion and particularly its symbolic theme "Woven." When I heard and experienced this theme, I found myself thinking: this theme is a perfect metaphor for the entirety of Japan-Philippines relations.

The ties that bind our two nations are like a tapestry woven from various threads of trust. And those threads - be it people-to-people and cultural ties, or economic and security partnerships - are woven together to create a vivid, rich, and beautiful tapestry called Japan-Philippines relations. Using this metaphor, let me illustrate some of the threads we've woven together lately that add a new color and design to our partnership.

Thread of Fostering Enduring People-to-People and Cultural Connections