Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya hosted a fellowship reception Saturday to send off 124 Filipino participants and scholars bound for Japan under two exchange initiatives.

The event, titled “Bridging Journeys: A Joint JDS-JET Programme Fellowship Reception,” celebrated the 2026 batches of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme and the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS). The reception also welcomed returnees from both programs.

This year’s JET cohort includes 104 Filipinos — 102 Assistant Language Teachers and two Coordinators for International Relations — who will be deployed to various prefectures across Japan.

Additionally, 20 Filipino JDS fellows were recognized as they prepare to pursue graduate studies at Japanese universities.

“I look forward to seeing new synergies emerge from this exchange with the participants of the JET and JDS programs, who are expected to serve as a bridge between Japan and the Philippines for years to come,” Endo said, highlighting the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

The gathering featured key officials from both governments and partner institutions, including Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Marshall Louis Alferez, Department of Economy, Planning and Development Undersecretary Joseph J. Capuno, and Department of Migrants Workers OIC-director Mary Grace Quilente.

Representatives from the Civil Service Commission, De La Salle University, the Japan International Cooperation Center, the Japan Council of Local Authorities for International Relations, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency were also in attendance.

During the event, JET participants Carlos Buraga and Cyra Krizna Jureidini, along with JDS fellows Filbert Ian Aromin Tan and Ismail Guiamel, shared insights about their experiences in Japan.

Several Japanese organizations and corporate representatives also attended the reception to engage with the outgoing participants and fellows.