On Monday, the Government of Japan announced the recipients of the 2025 Autumn Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals.

From the Philippines, the following two individuals have been honored: Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun and Jaime Bautista, The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star.

Zubiri served as the Senate President from 2022 to 2024. In this capacity, he fostered numerous exchanges among legislators, contributing to the strengthening of diplomatic relations and inter-parliamentary ties.

He also made significant contributions to enhancing Japan-Philippines economic relations through his support for the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and his efforts to improve the investment environment.

Furthermore, as bilateral cooperation expanded beyond the economic sphere into the security domain, he worked diligently toward the early approval of the Agreement between Japan and the Philippines Concerning the Facilitation of Reciprocal Access and Cooperation between the Self-Defense Forces of Japan and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (RAA).

Bautista made significant contributions to strengthening Japan-Philippines relations in various sectors such as aviation, railways, roads, and urban development.

Serving as the Secretary of Transportation from 2022 to 2025, he particularly advanced large-scale railway projects like the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP), implemented through Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA), ensuring its steady progress.

Additionally, during his tenure as the President of Philippine Airlines, he contributed significantly to the expansion of the air network between Japan and the Philippines, including the inauguration of the new Haneda-Manila route. Japan Information and Culture Center