Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) joined the celebration of the 70th anniversary of Japan-Philippines relations by supporting the B.LEAGUE Manila Games 2026, bringing Japan’s professional basketball league to Filipino fans at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on September 9 and 10.
The two-game series featured B.LEAGUE clubs and Filipino players competing in Manila, while highlighting basketball as another avenue for people-to-people connections between Japan and the Philippines.
For TMP President Masando Hashimoto, shared interests such as basketball can complement the longstanding economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries.
“The 70-year relationship between Japan and the Philippines has been built not only through economic and diplomatic ties, but also through meaningful connections between our people. Basketball is one of the shared passions that brings our communities together, and TMP is proud to support experiences like the B.LEAGUE Manila Games that help strengthen these connections,” Hashimoto said.
Japan-Philippines relations have expanded over the decades through exchanges in business, tourism, education, culture and the arts, creating closer links between the two peoples.
For Toyota, the relationship also has a strong economic dimension. The company has maintained a presence in the Philippine automotive industry for decades, with its operations contributing to local manufacturing, employment and skills development.
“Beyond this, this bilateral relationship for TMP is represented in part by the economic partnership built through decades of Toyota’s automotive business in the country, which has contributed to local manufacturing, employment, skills development, and the continued growth of the Philippine automotive industry,” Hashimoto added.
The B.LEAGUE Manila Games also gave Filipino fans an opportunity to see homegrown talent competing in Japan’s professional basketball league. Dwight Ramos suited up for Levanga Hokkaido, while AJ Edu played for Gunma Crane Thunders during the Manila series.
TMP also hosted the TOYOTA Challenge Zone, where fans could take part in interactive basketball activities and win prizes throughout the event.
The B.LEAGUE Manila Games formed part of the broader 70th-anniversary celebrations of Japan-Philippines relations, highlighting how sports and other people-to-people exchanges continue to add new dimensions to the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
For updates on Toyota products, services, events and promotions, follow Toyota Motor Philippines on Facebook, Instagram and X, or join the ToyotaPH community on Viber.
Related stories:
TOYOTA Brings B.LEAGUE Basketball Closer to Filipino Fans
Toyota Launches All-New Land Cruiser FJ in the Philippines, Bringing Legendary Capability in a More Compact SUV
Toyota Philippines Offers Up to PHP 75,000 Discounts in July Drive Deals Promo
Toyota Doubles Down on the Hilux Legacy with New Diesel Lineup and First-Ever 4×4 Electric Variant
