The House of Representatives officially marked 70 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan on Tuesday, August 4, following the adoption of House Resolution No. 1274 during its plenary session.
Authored by Speaker Isabela Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, and Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan, the resolution celebrates the enduring friendship between both nations and highlights its growth into a strategic partnership.
Formal diplomatic ties were established on July 23, 1956, following the San Francisco Peace Treaty and Reparations Agreement. The measure designates 2026 as the Philippines-Japan Friendship Year under the theme “Weaving the Future Together: Peace, Prosperity, Possibilities.”
Key areas of cooperation highlighted in the resolution include major infrastructure projects like the Metro Manila Subway and North-South Commuter Railway, extensive Official Development Assistance, and defense agreements such as the Reciprocal Access Agreement and patrol vessel provisions for the Philippine Coast Guard. Educational and cultural programs like the Japanese Government Scholarship and JET Program—which hosted 67 Filipinos in 2025 alongside 888,000 Filipino tourists visiting Japan—were also recognized.
“Under President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. and Speaker Bojie Dy, we continue to strengthen partnerships that bring safer communities, better infrastructure and greater economic opportunities to Filipino families. Japan has remained a trusted friend whose support is felt in our trains, schools, coastlines and communities,” Marcos said.
“This anniversary honors a friendship that produces practical results for our people, from faster transportation and stronger disaster response to scholarships, jobs and improved maritime security. We are preserving a valuable partnership while building opportunities for the next generation,” added Rep. Marcos, the eldest son of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
A copy of the adopted resolution will be formally transmitted to the Japanese government via its embassy in Manila.