A delegation from the Senate of the Philippines, led by Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, undertook an official visit to Japan from Nov 4 to 8, at the invitation of Japanese House of Councillors President Masakazu Sekiguchi, to strengthen inter-parliamentary exchanges and advance the Philippines-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The visit formed part of the activities commemorating the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan, being celebrated this year under the theme “Weaving the Future Together: Peace, Prosperity, Possibilities.”

It underscored the important role of parliamentary diplomacy in sustaining the longstanding friendship between the two countries and pursuing shared priorities in peace, security, economic development, and regional cooperation.

The delegation comprised Senate President Gatchalian; Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senate Majority Leader, chairperson of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and President of the Philippines-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Association; and Senators Joseph Victor Ejercito, Francis Pangilinan, Manuel Lapid, Rafael Tulfo, Mark Villar, and Erwin Tulfo. Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene Garcia-Albano also joined the official engagements.

During the visit,Gatchalian and his fellow Senators met with Japan Senate President Sekiguchi, Vice President Tetsuro Fukuyama, and other members of the Japanese Senate, reaffirming the commitment of both legislatures to deepen dialogue, strengthen institutional linkages, and promote closer cooperation on issues of mutual concern.

The Philippine lawmakers also paid courtesy calls on Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi former Prime Minister and Supreme Advisor to the Parliamentary Association of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Fumio Kishida, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Eisuke Mori.

These engagements provided opportunities to exchange views on the positive trajectory of bilateral relations, particularly in security, economic cooperation, sustainable development, and people-to-people exchanges.

Further strengthening parliamentary linkages, the senators engaged with members of the Japan-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship League (JPPFL) and the Japan-ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Exchange Group at the House of Councillors.

The discussions highlighted the importance of sustained legislative exchanges in reinforcing bilateral friendship and supporting cooperation between Japan and ASEAN.

At a meeting with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Akihiko Tanaka, Gatchalian presented a Philippine Senate resolution and a certificate of appreciation in recognition of JICA's longstanding contributions to Philippine development, particularly in infrastructure, peace and development in Mindanao, and people-to-people cooperation.

The visit also included a meeting with Honorary Chairman Yohei Sasakawa and other senior officials of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, during which both sides discussed the valuable contributions of Japanese institutions to maritime cooperation, peacebuilding, capacity development, and other initiatives supporting the Philippines' long-term development and resilience.

“As we celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations, this visit demonstrates that the Philippines-Japan partnership is also sustained by strong and enduring ties between our legislatures,” Ambassador Garcia-Albano said. “Beyond fostering closer ties among lawmakers, parliamentary exchanges provide opportunities to share legislative experiences, advance cooperation on common policy priorities, and support the implementation of agreements and initiatives that bring concrete benefits to our peoples.”

The official visit built on the growing momentum of high-level exchanges between the two countries, including the State Visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to Japan in May 2026, during which the Philippines and Japan elevated their bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Philippine Embassy in Japan Facebook page