Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio (left), Jordan Clarkson (Speaker’s office, Facebook)

The Philippines and Japan are two basketball-crazy nations--something that Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio somewhat alluded to during his historic address before Philippine Congress Saturday, Nov. 4. 

Kishida gave an all-encompassing speech before Filipino lawmakers Saturday wherein he mentioned the recent FIBA Basketball World Cup under the topic of "cooperation in the areas of economy and investment". 

This, as the Prime Minister highlighted the "Golden Friendship" between Filipinos and the Japanese. 

"We hope that through efforts such as the FIBA Basketball World Cup co-hosted by Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia this year, our 'Golden Friendship' will lead to the next generation," he said during the special joint session of the House of Representatives and the Senate. 

Kishida also said that he "welcome[s] the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of tourism" with the Philippines. 

The 2023 FIBA World Cup took place from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10. The three nations hosted various games at different stages of the tournament, but the final round was held in the Philippines. 

Japan ended up as the top Asian team in the tournament. This earned them an outright slot in the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

Meanwhile, the Philippines, represented by the Jordan Clarkson-led Gilas Pilipinas, earned a qualifying ticket for the Olympics next year for its performance. 

In the same speech, Kishida said: "I believe that it is the responsibility of those living in the present, to take the 'heart-to-heart ties' established by our predecessors to new heights and pass them on to the next generation."