Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya attended the opening ceremony of De La Salle University’s (DLSU) Japan Festival Week on Monday, launching a weeklong celebration of cultural and diplomatic ties between the two nations.

The event, organized by the DLSU Department of International Studies, runs through 10 July and commemorates the 70th anniversary of Philippines-Japan friendship.

The opening ceremony drew notable academic figures, including DLSU president Br. Bernard S. Oca, International Studies Department chair Evangeline Katigbak-Montoya, DLSU professor Dennis Trinidad, and University of the Philippines Diliman Asian Center associate professor Karl Ian Cheng Chua, alongside members of the faculty and student body.

In his keynote address, Endo highlighted the evolving bilateral relations between Japan and the Philippines, reflecting on the shared milestones achieved over seven decades of formal ties.

He stressed that academic, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges are vital to strengthening regional cooperation.

“Join us in co-creating a shared future built on peace, prosperity, and endless possibilities,” Endo told the attendees.

The festival features an array of cultural activities designed to showcase and deepen ties between the two countries.

The schedule includes an exhibition detailing Japan-Philippines cultural and diplomatic history, cosplay and academic competitions, and a demonstration of a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.