Ambassador ENDO Kazuya of Japan visited Davao City from April 16 to 17, 2026, to deliver a lecture series on Japan-Philippines relations at the Holy Cross of Davao College and the Ateneo de Davao University. The event brought together students and faculty from both institutions, offering them an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the enduring friendship between Japan and the Philippines, especially as both nations celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Japan-Philippines Friendship in 2026.
Lecture Highlights Bilateral Cooperation
In his lecture, Ambassador Endo discussed the bilateral relations and ongoing cooperation efforts between Japan and the Philippines in the areas of economy, security, and people-to-people exchanges. He also emphasized the longstanding historical ties between Japan and the Mindanao region, which remain strong to this day.
Cultural and Language Activities
At the Holy Cross of Davao College, Madam Endo conducted a Japanese cultural presentation featuring workshops on ikebana, the traditional art of flower arrangement. Meanwhile, at the Ateneo de Davao University, the Ambassador and Madam Endo visited a Japanese language class, where they engaged with students through simple greetings in Japanese and other interactive activities, further enriching the cultural exchange.
Community Engagements
During his visit, Ambassador Endo met with various members of the Davao community. On April 16, he joined the Fellowship Lunch of the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) Davao Region Chapter alumni. He also paid a courtesy call on Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte to strengthen cooperation and partnership between Japan and Davao City. Additionally, the Ambassador met with representatives of Davao’s business community to discuss and leverage shared resources for further economic collaborations.
Development Discussions and Project Visit
On April 17, Ambassador Endo met with Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chairperson Leo Tereso A. Magno to discuss ongoing development collaborations in the Mindanao region. He also visited the site of Davao City’s Waste-to-Energy (WTE) facility project, an initiative supported through Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA).
