On July 26, Ambassador Endo Kazuya hosted the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme Fellowship Reception at the Ambassador’s Residence in Makati City.

This year’s reception welcomed 62 Filipinos participating in the JET Programme, comprised of 59 Assistant Language Teachers and three coordinators for International Relations (CIRs).

The event also welcomed 23 representatives from the JET Alumni Association (JETAA) and recognized their ongoing efforts in forging stronger cultural and people-to-people ties between Japan and the Philippines.

Distinguished guests, including Commission on Higher Education chairperson Shirley Agrupis, Japan Council of Local Authorities for International Relations Singapore Executive Director Takano Kazuki, and representatives from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also graced the evening.

They conveyed their warmest well wishes and gave words of encouragement to the participants as they begin their new journeys in Japan.

JET returnee Eliezer Evangelista also delivered an inspiring message, while Nathaniel Capinpin represented the 39th batch of Filipino JETs and shared the group’s excitement for their upcoming endeavors.

Furthermore, several Japanese organizations and companies, including the Japan Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, participated in the reception and deepened exchanges with the JET participants.

In his message, Ambassador Endo expressed his optimism for this year’s batch of JET participants and JETAA members.

Recalling the JET Programme’s history in the Philippines, he called the journeys of Filipino JETs “testaments to the promise of our growing cultural exchanges” where “each community they’ve touched with their energy and warmth has served as a reassuring case for Japan and the Philippines’ close relationship.” Japanese Information and Culture Center