On July 25, Ambassador Endo Kazuya hosted “Bridging Journeys: A Joint JDS-JET Programme Fellowship Reception” to send off the 2026 batch of Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme participants and Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) fellows from the Philippines. The reception also welcomed returnees from both programs.

This year’s reception welcomed 104 Filipinos participating in the JET Programme, comprised of 102 Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) and two coordinators for International Relations (CIRs) who will be dispatched to various prefectures across Japan.

The reception also recognized the 20 Filipino JDS fellows who will pursue their graduate studies in different Japanese universities.

In his remarks, Ambassador Endo lauded the participants and fellows for their outstanding achievements. In celebrating 70 years of Philippines-Japan friendship, he further stated that “I look forward to seeing new synergies emerge from this exchange with the participants of the JET and JDS programs, who are expected to serve as a bridge between Japan and the Philippines for years to come.”

Distinguished guests graced the event, including Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Marshall Louis Alferez, Civil Service Commission Supervising HR Specialist Mary Rose Abaño, De La Salle University Department of International Studies Professor Dennis Trinidad, and Japan International Cooperation Center JDS Project Office in the Philippines Country Officer Fukushima Mika. Japan Culture and Information Center