On 25 April 2025, Japan committed P150 million to fund the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS), a program aimed at supporting the advanced education of Filipino government employees.

Ambassador ENDO Kazuya and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo signed the agreement at the DFA.

The grant, amounting to JPY 389 million (approximately P150 million), will cover the master's degree education of 20 young Filipino government employees, set to begin in Academic Year 2026-2027 at leading Japanese universities.

The JDS initiative is part of Japan's ongoing support for the Philippines' human resource development efforts. By enhancing the expertise of Filipino professionals, the program seeks to contribute to national development.

Since its launch in 2002, Japan has provided scholarships to a total of 459 JDS Fellows from the Philippines.