The Senate on Wednesday adopted a resolution commemorating the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties.

Fourteen senators sponsored and co-sponsored Senate Resolution No. 502, which was approved by Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian.

''Seventy years of friendship is, indeed, a milestone and Japan has been a very important development partner of the Philippines,” Gatchalian said.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, the resolution’s principal sponsor and head of the Philippine-Japan Parliamentarians Association, said: “The deep friendship between our countries is proof positive that there is a way forward for those who choose a path of unity and cooperation.”

Senator Erwin Tulfo extended his sympathies and condolences to the victims and families of the magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture.

Zubiri said the 1956 agreement became a model for Japan to rebuild its ties with other Asian nations.

Last May during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's visit to Japan, relations were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

On July 23, Japan and the Philippines exchanged diplomatic notes for the entry into force of the Agreement concerning Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services between the Self-Defense Forces of Japan and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. With this exchange of notes, the agreement will enter into force on August 22, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said last week.

Japan has been a leading source of official development assistance to the Philippines for decades. Through the Japan International Cooperation agency, the Metro Manila Subway Project is being built.

During the session, senators also bade farewell to Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuya Endo. PHS