Press Releases
Courtesy Call on Foreign Minister MOTEGI by the Delegation led by Hon. Sherwin Gatchalian, President of the Senate of the Philippines
November 5, 2026
On November 5, commencing at 4:55 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, received a courtesy call by the delegation led by Hon. Sherwin Gatchalian, President of the Senate of the Republic of the Philippines, who is visiting Japan by the invitation of the President of the Senate of Japan.
- At the outset, Minister MOTEGI welcomed the visit to Japan by the delegation led by Senate President Gatchalian, and expressed his conviction that this visit would further strengthen the bonds between Japan and the Philippines, which share fundamental values and principles.
- In response, Senate President Gatchalian expressed his pleasure at being able to visit Japan in this milestone year marking the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Philippines, and welcomed the progress of bilateral relations in a wide range of areas, such as security and economic cooperation.
- In addition, while explaining Japan’s efforts toward strengthening Japan-Philippines relations, Minister MOTEGI expressed his desire to further strengthen Japan-Philippines relations based on the “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.” In response, Senate President Gatchalian expressed his consent, and stated that he would like to make efforts toward the further development of bilateral relations.
(Reference) Participants of the Philippine Senators
Sherwin T. GATCHALIAN, Senate President Juan Miguel F. ZUBIRI, Senator (President of Philippines-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Association) Joseph Victor G. EJERCITO, Senator Francis N. PANGILINAN, Senator Manuel M. LAPID, Senator Erwin Teshiba TULFO, Senator