Metro Manila, Philippines – Nearly 900,000 Filipinos traveled to Japan in 2025, reflecting growing people-to-people ties between the two countries, Japan’s ambassador to the Philippines said Tuesday, March 24, as both sides marked 70 years of diplomatic relations.
Ambassador Endo Kazuya said the surge in Filipino visitors underscores the strength of bilateral relations, which have expanded beyond trade and security into tourism, education and cultural exchange.
“In 2025, the number rose to almost 900,000 even though we had years of pandemic,” Endo said during a Stratbase Forum in Makati City, noting a sharp increase from fewer than 100,000 Filipino visitors annually between 2006 and 2012.
He said the steady growth in travel highlights the deepening connection between Philippine and Japanese societies, built over decades of cooperation and mutual trust.
Endo cited strong public confidence, pointing to survey data showing that a majority of Filipinos view Japan as a reliable partner.
“These people-to-people connections represent the greatest potential for the future of Japan-Philippines relations,” he said.
The envoy said tourism growth has been supported by expanding air links, easing travel conditions and increasing interest in Japan among Filipino travelers, alongside a rise in Japanese language education in the Philippines.
Government data show that Japanese language programs in Philippine public high schools have expanded significantly over the years, while thousands of Filipinos continue to participate in exchange programs such as the Japan Exchange and Teaching program.
Endo said these exchanges, along with growing tourism, complement broader economic and security cooperation between the two countries.
Japan remains one of the country’s top economic partners, with around 1,600 Japanese companies operating in the country, while Filipinos in Japan – including health care workers and seafarers – continue to play a key role in supporting both economies.
