QUEZON CITY, Philippines — A stronger education partnership between the Philippines and Japan is taking shape as the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM) move to expand cooperation in Japanese-language education and cultural exchange.
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara recently met with JFM officials led by Director Ben Suzuki, Assistant Director Hanna Miyashita, and members of the 13th Batch of NIHONGO Partners, who are set to support Filipino teachers and students implementing DepEd’s Special Program in Foreign Language (SPFL)-Japanese.
The latest development comes as the Philippines and Japan mark the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations in 2026, adding significance to education and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
Japanese language program gets fresh support
The NIHONGO Partners initiative places Japanese-language teachers in Philippine secondary schools to work alongside local teachers and students. The program is intended not only to improve Japanese-language learning but also to encourage greater cultural understanding between Filipinos and Japanese.
The Philippine Information Agency reported that the new batch will contribute to the implementation of SPFL-Japanese, while discussions between DepEd and JFM also covered ways to further strengthen the broader education partnership between the Philippines and Japan.
The program is not an entirely new undertaking. DepEd regional issuances show that schools have continued to participate in the SPFL-Japanese and NIHONGO Partners program for School Year 2026–2027, indicating that Japanese-language education remains an active component of the country’s foreign-language offerings.
19 Japanese teachers join the latest batch
The Embassy of Japan said 19 Japanese-language teachers are part of the 13th batch of NIHONGO Partners. Ambassador Endo Kazuya welcomed them on Aug. 10 and highlighted their role in sharing Japanese language and culture with Filipino learners.
Endo described the participants as potential “cultural bridges” between the two countries, particularly as the Philippines and Japan celebrate seven decades of diplomatic relations this year.
Their role goes beyond teaching vocabulary and grammar. By interacting with Filipino educators and students, the participants can also provide opportunities for learners to gain firsthand exposure to Japanese culture and perspectives.
Partnership has been building for years
The latest meeting builds on years of cooperation between DepEd and the Japan Foundation.
Previous DepEd programs have involved intensive Japanese-language training for Filipino teachers, including preparation for the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) and cultural immersion activities.
In 2025, DepEd also documented a study-tour initiative involving SPFL-Japanese teachers under the Partnership to Co-create a Future with the Next Generation: WA Project 2.0, a people-to-people exchange initiative connecting Japan and ASEAN countries.
This continuing cooperation is particularly relevant as DepEd seeks to give teachers greater access to international training and experiences.
In May 2026, DepEd emphasized that international scholarships and exchanges can help teachers gain global perspectives and bring useful practices back to Philippine classrooms.
Japan-Philippines education ties extend beyond language
The education partnership is also part of a wider relationship between Manila and Tokyo.
During a March 2026 meeting, Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya and Education Secretary Angara discussed challenges facing Philippine education and reaffirmed cooperation in areas including Japanese-language education, teacher training, and education-related initiatives involving Japanese-affiliated companies.
The Japan Foundation has likewise identified the NIHONGO Partners program as a key component of its efforts to strengthen networks and people-to-people relationships across Asia. Under the program, Japanese teachers and cultural instructors are dispatched to secondary schools to work with local Japanese-language teachers and students.
What this could mean for Filipino students
For Filipino learners, the partnership could mean greater exposure to Japanese-language instruction, culture and international learning opportunities.
For teachers, the continuing cooperation provides avenues for language training, cultural exchange and professional development.
But the bigger story may be what happens after the Japanese teachers leave.
The success of the partnership will ultimately depend on how effectively the knowledge, teaching strategies and cultural exchanges are carried forward by Filipino teachers and schools.
As the Philippines and Japan celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations, the classroom is becoming another important space where the two countries are building ties—not simply through agreements between governments, but through teachers, students and communities.
And with the arrival of the 13th batch of NIHONGO Partners, the next chapter of that partnership is already beginning.
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