Manila City, Philippines—The Philippines remains a premier investment destination for Japanese enterprises, offering a strategic location, a competitive business climate, and a highly skilled workforce. This was highlighted during the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) recent conclusion of a high-level business and investment mission from Okayama.

Facilitated by the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Osaka (PTIC–Osaka), in collaboration with the Okayama International Business Association (OIBA), the business and investment mission to the Philippines, led by OIBA Chairman Koichi Itano, successfully took place from February 9 to 13.

The delegation aimed to explore investment opportunities and bolster supply chain integration within the Philippine industrial ecosystem. It comprised top executives from Okayama-based companies spanning manufacturing, education, software development, property management, steel processing, banking and finance, and the automotive sector.

The business mission included high-level engagements, strategic networking, and site visits to key economic zones in Manila, Cavite, and Cebu. These activities provided Japanese executives with firsthand insights into the Philippine market, enabling them to assess investment prospects and connect with key stakeholders from the government and private sector.

Strategic Business Engagements

The mission commenced with a courtesy visit to the Japan External Trade Organization Manila, followed by a business networking luncheon.

Board of Investments (BOI) Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed the country’s strong commitment to fostering a competitive and investor-friendly business environment.

“The Philippines provides a dynamic economic landscape, compelling incentives, and strategic advantages that make it an ideal partner for Japanese enterprises looking to expand in Southeast Asia,” Undersecretary Rodolfo emphasized.

The delegation also engaged with senior officials from the Japanese Embassy in Manila and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) for an in-depth briefing on the country’s economic zones, incentive programs, and key investment opportunities.

Exploring the Manufacturing and Industrial Landscape

During the Economic and Investment Briefing, PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga emphasized the long-standing and robust economic partnership between Japan and the Philippines. He noted that Japanese firms have been among the top investors in the PEZA zones for nearly three decades.

“In PEZA, our Japanese investors have always been ichi-ban—our leading ecozone locators and valued partners,” said Director General Panga. “With over 800 Japanese firms contributing PHP 589 billion in investments and generating more than 300,000 direct jobs, we remain confident that this mission will further bolster our collaboration and attract more high-value manufacturing investments to the Philippines.”

The delegation visited two prominent Japanese companies, Nakashima Philippines Corporation and JPN, Inc., both located in the Cavite Economic Zone. These site tours offered insights into the advantages of establishing operations within Philippine economic zones and showcased the strong support mechanisms available to foreign investors.

Building on their engagements in Manila and Cavite, the delegation proceeded to Tsuneishi Heavy Industries in Balamban, Cebu, on February 12. The visit aimed to explore opportunities for supply chain integration with the global shipbuilder and assess additional prospects within the West Cebu Industrial Park. It further underscored the Philippines’ thriving shipbuilding industry and its vast potential to attract increased Japanese investment in industrial estates offering world-class infrastructure and investor-friendly regulatory frameworks.

Strengthening Economic Partnerships for the Future

Philippine Commercial Counselor and Director of PTIC Osaka Michael Alfred V. Ignacio lauded the mission’s success, emphasizing its vital role in reinforcing economic and trade relations between Japan and the Philippines.

“PTIC Osaka is firmly committed to aggressively promoting investments from Japanese manufacturing players by encouraging their participation and integration into the Philippine manufacturing supply chain and industrial ecosystem. Our ultimate goal is to foster a more complete and resilient supply chain in the Philippines — one that enhances the country’s industrial competitiveness and strengthens its role as a key player in regional and global trade,” Commercial Counselor Ignacio pointed out.

The mission was made possible through the support of the BOI, the DTI Foreign Trade Service Corps, the PEZA, and the Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates.

As Japanese companies deepen their presence in the Philippines, the long-standing partnership between the two nations is set to drive sustained economic growth, industrial collaboration, and shared prosperity in the years to come. ♦

Date of release: 01 March 2025

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