With her enduring appreciation and love for Japan, First Lady Liza Araneta- Marcos met recently with former Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Haneda Koji at her office in Manila.

“A pleasure reconnecting with Ambassador Haneda Koji, Commissioner General of the Expo 2025 Osaka and a dear friend of the Philippines,” Mrs. Marcos wrote on her official Instagram account.

Koji served as the Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines from September 2017 to November 2020.

Expo 2025 Osaka, held on Yumeshima Island in Kansai, Japan, was a major global event last year, revolving around the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.”

It featured over 150 countries, including the Philippines, showcasing innovations aimed at “Saving Lives,” “Empowering Lives,” and “Connecting Lives,” with an expected 28 million visitors.

“Fond memories of the Japan Pavilion in Osaka — and great to catch up again here in Manila,” the First Lady said.

The Philippine Pavilion, dubbed “Woven,” at the Osaka Expo was honored with the prestigious Silver Award for Exhibition Design by the Bureau International des Expositions, recognizing its outstanding cultural storytelling and visitor experience.

Designed by Carlo Calma Consultancy Inc., the pavilion featured a sustainable, handwoven rattan facade that celebrated the Philippines’ vibrant artistry and sense of community, earning it recognition as an award-winning standout.