Japan-Philippines Relations
Signing and Exchange of Notes Concerning the Grant Assistance “Economic and Social Development Program” to the Republic of the Philippines (Provision of Wireless Communication Equipment)
January 15, 2026
On January 15 local time (same day Japan time), in Manila, the capital of the Republic of the Philippines, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and Hon. Maria Theresa Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines, signed and exchanged notes concerning the Grant Assistance “Economic and Social Development Program” for the provision of wireless communication equipment (grant amount: 1.63 billion yen).
- The provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, located in the remote island areas of Mindanao, have lagged in socioeconomic infrastructure development due to security concerns and their geographical conditions. Especially, the development of telecomminications networks has delayed significantly, which makes it difficult to provide adequate public services to the residents.
- Japan has been providing support to promote peace, stability, development and growth in Mindanao for many years. As a part of these efforts, this project aims to eliminate the digital divide by establishing communication infrastructure (microwave radio transmission devices, IT equipment) for providing network-based public services in government and municipal institutions, schools, hospitals, community centers, and other facilities in the region, thereby contributing to the socioeconomic development of the Philippines.
(Reference) Basic Data on the Republic of the Philippines
The Republic of the Philippines has an area of approximately 300,000 square kilometers, a population of about 115.84 million people (2024, World Bank), and a gross national income (GNI) per capita is 4,470 USD (2024, World Bank).