JET Programme Recognizes Filipino JETs at Fellowship Reception

On 26 July 2025, Ambassador ENDO Kazuya hosted the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme Fellowship Reception at the Ambassador’s Residence in Makati City.  

This year’s reception welcomed 62 Filipinos participating in the JET Programme, comprised of 59 Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) and three (3) Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs). The event also welcomed 23 representatives from the JET Alumni Association (JETAA) and recognized their ongoing efforts in forging stronger cultural and people-to-people ties between Japan and the Philippines.  
Distinguished guests, 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) also graced the evening. They conveyed their warmest well wishes and gave words of encouragement to the participants as they begin their new journeys in Japan. JET returnee Mr. Eliezer M. Evangelista also delivered an inspiring message, while Mr. Nathaniel Capinpin represented the 39th batch of Filipino JETs and shared the group’s excitement for their upcoming endeavors. Furthermore, several Japanese organizations and companies, including the Japan Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, participated in the reception and deepened exchanges with the JET participants. 
In his message, Ambassador Endo expressed his optimism for this year’s batch of JET participants and JETAA members. Recalling the JET Programme’s history in the Philippines, he called the journeys of Filipino JETs “testaments to the promise of our growing cultural exchanges” where “each community they’ve touched with their energy and warmth has served as a reassuring case for Japan and the Philippines’ close relationship.” 

To prepare them for this exchange opportunity, the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC), in partnership with the JETAA, conducted a virtual pre-departure orientation and Nihongo learning lesson on June 28. This session provided this year’s batch of ALTs and CIRs with vital knowledge and information on Japanese culture and society. 

To know more about the JET Programme, visit http://www.jetprogramme.org/en.  

 

Remarks of Ambassador ENDO Kazuya at the 2025 JET Programme Fellowship Reception