The Government of Japan has conferred the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, to Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, the highest award given by Japan to a foreign national.

Zubiri received the award conferred to him by Emperor Naruhito during the Ceremony of Imperial Conferment of Decoration Investiture last Nov. 11, 2025 at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan.

“I accept the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun from the Government of Japan with deep gratitude and humility, and I take it as a recognition of the deep friendship between our two nations more than the efforts of one individual,” Zubiri expressed after receiving the distinction.

“We also understand that with an award of this stature comes a higher bar for accountability, and we intend to meet that bar by being even more careful, open and consistent in explaining how our work with Japan serves our people,” he further said.

The citation was read by newly minted Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Zubiri said he is both humbled and honored to receive such award, saying it comes as a challenge for him to work even harder to strengthen Philippines-Japan bilateral relations.

Also during the conferment, the Emperor took the opportunity to express his deepest sympathy to the families and communities affected by Typhoons Tino and Uwan in the Philippines.

“The Emperor’s heartfelt words reflect the special regard and concern that the Japanese people have for our country,” according to Zubiri.

“And these words are made real through timely aid and assistance. I am truly grateful that we can count on Japan in this time of crisis,” he stressed.

“I have long held Japan in great esteem as one of our closest and most longstanding allies, so I am deeply humbled to receive this honor from them,” he added.

Of the 104 foreign nationals who received Japanese decorations for Autumn 2025, only eight were conferred the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, including Former Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Tan Dung and Former Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah.

At 56, Zubiri is the youngest among fellow recipients. He also currently sits as the President of the Philippines-Japan Parliamentarians Association and has long championed the partnership between the Philippines and Japan, particularly in the areas of security and defense, trade and economy, and tourism and culture.

During his time as Senate President, the senator campaigned for the creation of a Reciprocal Access Agreement between the Philippines and Japan, banking on the strategic partnership between the two countries.

The lawmaker also pushed for mutually beneficial economic arrangements between the Philippines and Japan through legislative provisions that paved the way for Japanese investors to come and establish profitable export operations in the country.

This, Zubiri said, helped create employment and livelihood opportunities for thousands of Filipinos.

Zubiri also expressed gratefulness to Japan for his role in advancing inter-parliamentary exchanges and in supporting key agreements, including the approval of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and of the Reciprocal Access Agreement between the Self-Defense Forces of Japan and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“For me, we will feel the victory when we can make the benefits felt in our communities through a safer and more secure region, better coordination in disasters and calamities, and a clearer path of cooperation in the years to come,” he stressed.

In the area of diplomacy, Zubiri also spearheaded the Philippines’ successful hosting of the 31st Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum in 2023, and led key parliamentary exchanges with the National Diet of Japan.

Most notably, he invited then-Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to deliver a policy address before the Senate of the Philippines and the House of Representatives in a historic joint session in 2023.

“It is galvanizing to be recognized by the Japanese Government for our efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between the Philippines and Japan,” Zubiri said.

“This recognition is fuel. I feel even more committed to pursuing stronger partnerships that will benefit both of our peoples,” he said.