Philippines-Japan Friendship Month 2026: 70th Anniversary Cultural Programme

Photo: The Manila Times (2026 Philippines-Japan Friendship Year commemorative logo)

09 / Festival

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Philippines-Japan Friendship Month 2026: 70th Anniversary Cultural Programme

Name: Philippines-Japan Friendship Month 2026: 70th Anniversary Cultural Programme
Start: 2026-07-01T02:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-07-31T15:59:59+00:00
Location: Multiple Metro Manila venues; Japan Foundation Manila

1 to 31 July 2026

Multiple Metro Manila venues; Japan Foundation Manila

Times varied by event

More info & tickets Open in Google Maps

Why go

For film lovers and anyone curious about Japanese culture, with free subtitled screenings at Eiga Sai plus exhibitions, talks and workshops across July; the early-July film leg at Shangri-La Plaza in Ortigas is an easy after-work stop and a comfortable outing with visiting family. Ortigas is reachable from most of the metro, though save the trip for a free evening if you are coming from the far south.

When

1 to 31 July 2026
Times varied by event

Where

Multiple Metro Manila venues; Japan Foundation Manila, 23/F Pacific Star Building, Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. cor. Makati Ave., Makati

Presented by

Embassy of Japan in the Philippines and the Japan Foundation, Manila

Good to know

Free and subtitled in English for the film screenings. The programme spans many venues and dates through July into August, so check the Embassy of Japan's 70th-anniversary calendar before planning a particular night.

About this event

July is Philippines-Japan Friendship Month, marking the 1956 normalisation of diplomatic relations, and 2026 adds the weight of the 70th-anniversary Friendship Year under the theme "Weaving the Future Together: Peace, Prosperity, Possibilities." The Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation Manila stage a season of exhibitions, lectures, performances and language workshops, alongside Eiga Sai, the long-running Japanese film festival whose Manila leg runs at the Shangri-La Plaza Cineplex in early July before travelling to Cebu and the UP Film Institute through August. Screenings are free and subtitled in English, which makes the festival an easy after-work stop and a comfortable outing with visiting family. Specific dated events are published on the Embassy's 70th-anniversary calendar through the season, so check it before planning a particular night.

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