Officials from the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, including Ambassador Kazuya Endo, Madame Akiko Endo, and Minister and Consul General Takahiro Hanada, attended the event.

This annual event aims to promote interaction among Japanese residents in the area and to share Japanese culture with the broader community.

This year, 13 groups with around 430 participants took the stage to showcase their talents through choral performances, dances, instrumental music, and more.

The event also drew a large crowd of nearly 1,000 attendees, including not only Japanese residents but also many Filipino guests, resulting in a lively and festive atmosphere.

During the opening ceremony, Minister Hanada delivered a guest speech, expressing his gratitude to JAMI and other organizations and individuals involved.

He emphasized the significance of the event as a meaningful opportunity for cross-cultural exchange that transcends generations and nationalities.

He also expressed his hopes for further development in the bilateral relationship between Japan and the Philippines, as next year, 2026, marks the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The cultural festival was a heartwarming occasion filled with smiles from both performers and attendees alike.

Ambassador ENDO delivered an insightful message during the event, expressing his delight to witness varying perspectives from the exhibition’s talents. In his remarks, he exclaimed that “From the cultural to the historical, we follow these artists’ works as they take us to a place where both past and present can converge, inspire, and delight.” He further added that through the exhibition, visitors will discover that “much like a Philippine city, Tokyo is a city that’s as alive and changing as the people that inhabit its charming confines.”

The TOKYO Before/After exhibition, consisting of more than eighty (80) carefully curated photographs, paints a visually striking portrayal of Tokyo’s ever-transforming scene. The collection of images intricately highlights a beautiful and thought-provoking contrast of the city between the 1930s-1940s and the post-2010 period. The said exhibition will run from May 17 until July 31, 2025 at the 3rd Floor of Estancia Mall in Pasig City. Admission to the exhibition is free.