The Consulate-General of the Philippines in Nagoya, Japan was established on 04 December 2019 to promote the welfare and serve the consular needs of the estimated 80,000 Filipinos in the prefectures under its jurisdiction, and to enhance economic and cultural relations between the Philippines and Chubu (Central Japan region). It first opened its doors to the public in June 2020 with limited services.
The proposal to open a Consulate-General in Nagoya started in 2017, in response to a letter dated 15 February 2017 sent by various Filipino community leaders in Nagoya to the Office of the President, and endorsed to the Department of Foreign Affairs by the Office of the Executive Secretary. Thereupon the DFA proposed to the Office of the President the opening of a Consulate General in Nagoya, which was approved through a letter from Malacañang dated 23 September 2019, paving the way for the opening of a temporary office located on the second floor of Regus Office Center in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. The Consulate officially moved to its present location in the main shopping district of Sakae on 01 December 2020.
Prior to the establishment of the Consulate-General in Nagoya, Philippine interests in Central Japan were represented by an honorary consul. The last honorary consul in Nagoya was Mr. Makoto Maeda who tendered his resignation in 2017.
The Consulate is currently housed in the five-story Hiroya Building with the following address: 3–31–3 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi-ken, Japan 460-0008. Only the first four floors of the building are occupied by the Consulate under a long-term lease.
The Consulate building’s façade is made of tempered glass, accentuated by granite pillars. The interiors are light and airy, with generous clearance between floor and ceiling. The staircase, running alongside a wall imbedded with smooth, rounded natural stones, is made of wood, steel, and glass, which communicate a harmonious mix of modern and organic elements. An elevator serves all floors of the building.
The first and second floors of the Consulate are where the public services are dispensed. The first floor caters to clients for passport, overseas registration, and notarial services, while the second floor caters to clients for civil registration, visa, and assistance to nationals. A Sentro Rizal is also envisioned to be established on the second floor. The third floor houses the office of the Consul General and the office of the Deputy Consul General. A conference room and receiving room are also located on the same floor. Administrative services and backend processes are located on the fourth floor.
The Consulate is accessible by City Bus and by subway (via Sakura-Dori Line, Yabacho Station, Exit Number 5).
List of Consuls General:
- CELESTE VINZON-BALATBAT: November 2020 - April 2023. Chunichi Shimbun Articles.
- ROY B. ECRAELA: May 2023 - Present. Various Articles.
