President’s Message

I am happy to convey my heartfelt greetings of friendship and fraternity to all visitors to this newly published website.

In two years, we will mark the 30th founding anniversary of the Philippine Institute of Japanese Language & Culture Foundation (フィリピン日本語文化学院 ), which was established by the Philippines-Japan Friendship Foundation in 1992 under the visionary leadership of the late Ambassador Jose S. Laurel III. On the other hand, The Nihongo Center Foundation was born at the instance of the Embassy of Japan in 1997, when it sought Ambassador Laurel’s assistance in continuing the operations of the Embassy’s Japanese Language School (日本語学校), which was then being transitioned from its consular and diplomatic mandate.

Both schools (PIJLC and NCF) were founded upon the magnanimity of Ambassador Laurel, who despite his advanced years in the 90’s, energetically believed in his vision to provide quality Nihongo training for Filipinos, convinced that language is the key to people-to-people understanding, genuine friendship and true partnership.

This website is but our latest attempt to communicate the programs and services of our two schools, which are now a living legacy of Filipino advocates of Nihongo who have selflessly dedicated themselves to the assurance of peace, friendship and cooperation between the peoples of the Philippines and Japan, through Nihongo training.

It is my earnest hope that this website will be a useful and inspiring source of relevant information for Filipinos aspiring to learn the Japanese language, those who wish to acquire a deeper understanding and appreciation of Japanese culture and society, and believers of Philippines-Japan amity, cooperation and mutuality.

PHILIP B. SANVICTORES
President
Makati City, November 26, 2020