45th Philippines-Japan Friendship Celebration and Awards Night Marks 70 Years of Philippines-Japan Diplomatic Relations

The Philippines-Japan Society (PJS) celebrated another milestone in the enduring partnership between the Philippines and Japan when it held the 45th Philippines-Japan Friendship Celebration and Awards Night on 15 July 2026 at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The occasion commemorated not only the 54th anniversary of the Philippines-Japan Society, but also the 70th anniversary of the Normalization of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and Japan – a landmark year that celebrates seven decades of peace, cooperation, and ever-deepening friendship between the two nations. The event was graced with more than 100 guests, attesting to the strong support and shared commitment to this enduring bilateral relationship.

The celebration brought together leaders and members of the Philippines-Japan Society and its affiliated organizations, a delegation from The Philippine Society of Japan led by its President, Ambassador Makoto Katsura, who travelled from Tokyo to attend the event, officials of the Embassy of Japan, representatives of the Japanese business community in the Philippines, and faculty members, alumni, and students of the Philippine Institute of Japanese Language and Culture Foundation, Inc. (PIJLC) and the Nihongo Center Foundation, Inc. (NCF). Together, they reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening the longstanding ties between the Filipino and Japanese peoples.

The highlight of the evening was the conferment of the Philippines-Japan Society Medal of Merit, the Society’s highest distinction, upon Professor Kenjiro Ogata, in recognition of his more than three decades of extraordinary dedication to Japanese language education and his invaluable contributions to promoting mutual understanding and people-to-people exchanges between the Philippines and Japan.

The formal program commenced with the national anthems of the Philippines and Japan, followed by the Welcome Remarks of PJS President Francis C. Laurel. In his address, Mr. Laurel reflected on 70 years of productive diplomatic relations founded upon mutual trust, respect, and cooperation. He emphasized that the remarkable partnership enjoyed by the two countries today was built through the sustained efforts of countless individuals and institutions dedicated to fostering friendship and goodwill. He likewise paid tribute to Professor Ogata, whose lifelong commitment to education exemplifies these shared values.

In his keynote message, His Excellency Kazuya Endo, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Philippines, expressed Japan’s appreciation for the Philippines-Japan Society as one of Japan’s longstanding partners in advancing bilateral relations. Ambassador Endo highlighted the remarkable breadth of contemporary Philippines-Japan cooperation – from economic development and infrastructure to defense collaboration under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, as well as emerging areas of cooperation such as artificial intelligence and space technology.

Delivering remarks on behalf of the Japanese community, Ambassador Makoto Katsura, President of The Philippine Society of Japan, underscored the importance of people-to-people exchanges as the foundation of lasting international friendship. He cited the contributions of educators such as Professor Ogata and the continuing efforts of the Philippine Society of Japan in supporting Filipino nurses, care workers, and the Filipino community residing in Japan.

The recognition conferred upon Professor Ogata reflects a remarkable journey that began in 1992, when the Japan Foundation dispatched him to the Philippines as a Japanese Language Expert assigned to the newly established Philippine Institute of Japanese Language and Culture Foundation (PIJLC). Originally intended as a two-year assignment, his stay evolved into a lifelong vocation after responding to the personal appeal of the late Ambassador Jose S. Laurel III to remain in the Philippines and help nurture future generations of Filipinos through Japanese language education.

Over the succeeding thirty-four years, Professor Ogata became one of the country’s most respected Nihongo educators. He developed PIJLC’s pioneering intensive Nihongo curriculum, mentored generations of scholars who pursued higher education in Japan, trained Japanese language teachers, delivered professional lectures throughout the country, and helped countless students achieve success in the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). Through the Kenjiro Ogata Scholarship Program, which he personally established, he likewise extended financial assistance and academic support to deserving students while conducting JLPT N1 review classes for nearly two decades.

Renowned for his dynamic teaching style, intellectual rigor, and deep appreciation of both Japanese and Filipino cultures, Professor Ogata has inspired thousands of students, many of whom have gone on to become educators, diplomats, business leaders, engineers, translators, and professionals serving as bridges between the Philippines and Japan. His fluency in Filipino, coupled with his genuine affection for the country and the Filipino people, has earned him the admiration and affection of generations of students and colleagues alike.

During the Awards Night, alumni and former students of PIJLC shared heartfelt messages expressing their gratitude for the profound influence Professor Ogata had on their lives and careers. Their moving testimonials reflected not only his excellence as an educator but also his enduring legacy as a mentor who helped shape generations of Filipinos committed to strengthening Philippines-Japan relations.

The formal citation was read by Mr. Philip B. Sanvictores, President of both the Philippine Institute of Japanese Language and Culture Foundation, Inc. and the Nihongo Center Foundation, Inc., highlighting Professor Ogata’s exceptional contributions to Japanese language education, curriculum development, scholarship programs, teacher training, and cultural exchange. A copy of the citation may be accessed here.

The Medal of Merit and commemorative plaque were then formally conferred upon Professor Ogata by PJS President Francis C. Laurel, together with PJS Vice-President Gerard B. Sanvictores, with Ambassador Kazuya Endo and Madame Endo standing alongside the awardee during the presentation.

In his acceptance speech, delivered in English, Filipino, and Japanese, Professor Ogata reflected with humility and gratitude on the unexpected yet deeply fulfilling life he had found in the Philippines.

“They say, ‘Life starts at 40.’ My life started at 40 when I came to the Philippines in 1992. Looking back upon the last 34 years, I realize how lucky and how blessed I have been. I have lived a very happy and fulfilling life thanks to you all.”

He expressed heartfelt appreciation to the many institutions and individuals who became part of his journey, including the Philippines-Japan Society, the Embassy of Japan, the Philippines-Japan Friendship Foundation, the Philippine Institute of Japanese Language and Culture Foundation, the Nihongo Center Foundation, the Japan Foundation Manila, the late Ambassador Jose S. Laurel III, and the countless colleagues, friends, and students who shared in his mission of promoting closer ties between the Filipino and Japanese peoples. He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to advancing the enduring principles championed by Ambassador Laurel—Mutual Understanding, Mutual Respect, and Cooperation.

Professor Ogata’s recognition was especially meaningful as it coincided with the 70th Anniversary of the Normalization of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and Japan. His decision to remain in the Philippines for more than three decades transformed what began as a temporary teaching assignment into a lifelong vocation dedicated to education, cultural exchange, and the strengthening of one of Asia’s most enduring bilateral friendships.

Through the conferment of the 45th Philippines-Japan Society Medal of Merit, the Society honored not merely an outstanding educator, but a true builder of bridges between nations. Professor Ogata’s life’s work stands as a testament to the profound impact that one individual can have in bringing peoples together through education, language, and mutual respect. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of Filipinos and Japanese to deepen the friendship that has flourished between the two countries for the past seventy years and will undoubtedly continue for many generations to come.

Resources:
Opening Remarks of Mr. Francis C. Laurel
Greetings of H. E. ENDO Kazuya
Greetings of Amb. KATSURA Makoto
Response of the Awardee
Citation
Student Testimonies
Photos