In a warm reception held on 26 July 2025 at the Japanese Ambassador’s Residence in Makati City, 62 Filipinos preparing to join the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program were officially welcomed and celebrated for their upcoming journey as cultural ambassadors.

This year’s cohort consists of 59 Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) and three Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs). For these young professionals, the opportunity represents more than a teaching or administrative assignment. It is a chance to foster people-to-people connections, deepen mutual understanding, and build lasting bridges between the Philippines and Japan.

Hosted by Ambassador ENDO Kazuya, the reception also welcomed 23 members of the JET Alumni Association (JETAA), recognizing their continued commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. Distinguished guests from the Philippine government and Japanese institutions lent their support, including Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Shirley Agrupis, Japan Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (J. CLAIR) Singapore Executive Director TAKANO Kazuki, and representatives from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

In his message, Ambassador ENDO expressed confidence in the new JETs and highlighted the significance of their participation. Recalling the legacy of Filipino JETs, he said the journeys of these individuals are “testaments to the promise of our growing cultural exchanges” and added that “each community they’ve touched with their energy and warmth has served as a reassuring case for Japan and the Philippines’ close relationship.”

The event also featured encouraging messages from JET returnee Mr. Eliezer M. Evangelista and new participant Mr. Nathaniel Capinpin, who represented the 39th batch. Evangelista offered insights drawn from his own experiences abroad, while Capinpin shared the group’s collective excitement for what lies ahead.

Several Japanese organizations and companies, including the Japan Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, also joined the gathering to express support and engage with the new participants, highlighting the role of the private sector in fostering meaningful exchange.

To help the new batch prepare for their immersion, the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC), in collaboration with JETAA, conducted a virtual pre-departure orientation and Nihongo language lesson on 28 June. The session provided practical knowledge on Japanese culture and society and served as a first step in equipping the participants for their roles.

While each JET participant brings their own personal story, they are united by a shared mission, to serve not only as professionals in their fields but as living bridges between nations. As they prepare to leave for Japan, they carry with them more than luggage. They bring the hopes of strengthened ties, cultural understanding, and lasting friendships that begin in classrooms and communities across Japan.