Visit to the Philippines by Mrs. KISHIDA Yuko, the Spouse of the Prime Minister: Second Day

 
On November 4, 2023 (local time), Mrs. KISHIDA Yuko, Spouse of the Prime Minister, who is visiting the Republic of the Philippines with Prime Minister Kishida, held a roundtable meeting with Japanese women active in the Philippines. Afterwards, Mrs. Kishida observed Prime Minister Kishida’s policy speech at the Joint Session of the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives, before visiting the Japanese Language Center Foundation.

1. Roundtable Meeting with Japanese Women Active in the Philippines
 
Mrs. Kishida, the spouse of the Prime Minister, met with Japanese women active in industry, international organizations, and academia in the Philippines and exchanged views on life in the country, job satisfaction, and the overall appeal of Philippine society that supports women’s activities. Mrs. Kishida listened attentively to the stories of Japanese women working in the Philippines. She said, “I was able to learn more about the depth of the Philippines by listening to the stories of people who are active in the Philippines, which has a different language and culture from that of Japan.
 
2. Observation of Prime Minister Kishida’s Policy Speech at the Joint Session of the House and Senate of the Philippines
 
Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio and Mrs. Kishida visited the Philippine Congress, where Prime Minister Kishida delivered his policy speech titled “Heart-to-Heart Ties for the Next Generation” at the joint session of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
 
3. Luncheon hosted by the Speaker of the House and Senate of the Philippines
 
After delivering his policy speech, Prime Minister Kishida and Mrs. Kishida attended a luncheon hosted by the Senate President and Speaker of the House . At the luncheon, they shared pleasant conversations and deepened exchanges with Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and his spouse, Mrs. Audrey Tan-Zubiri, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and other attendees.
 
4. Visit to the Japanese Language Center Foundation
 
Mrs. Kishida visited the Nihongo Center Foundation Makati, where she observed an intermediate-level Japanese class and interacted with the students in Japanese. A heartwarming exchange occurred between Mrs. Kishida and the students, who enthusiastically asked her light-hearted questions. Mrs. Kishida encouraged the students to continue their Japanese language studies and wished them good luck in their future endeavors.
 
Mrs. Kishida also met with prospective nurses and care workers scheduled to visit Japan in June next year under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). They discussed their expectations for working in Japan and their goals during the discussion. Mrs. Kishida conveyed her well-wishes to the participants: “Nurses and care workers have vital roles in assisting people. Please enjoy your life in Japan.” The nurse and caregiver candidates who participated in the discussion plan to work in Japanese hospitals and care facilities after taking Japanese language training.
 
(Reference 1) Nihongo Center Foundation
　The Nihongo Center Foundation was established in 1992 by former Philippine Ambassador to Japan Jose S. Laurel III and is a core institution for Japanese language education in the Philippines.
 
(Reference 2) Filipino Nurses and Caregivers under the EPA Framework
　Under the framework of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), a total of 3,613 Filipino nurse and caregiver candidates (as of September 2023) have come to Japan, of which 1,128 have passed the national exam and are working.