Phl still attractive to Japanese investors

Published by rudy Date posted on June 26, 2013

MANILA, Philippines – As Japan pursues its growth strategy, the Philippines remains an attractive investment destination for manufacturers, officials said yesterday.

Nobuo Fujii, executive director of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Philippines said that despite high power costs, Japanese manufacturers still consider the Philippines an attractive investment destination for manufacturing despite high electricity cost because of proximity, abundance of skilled and English-speaking workers.

Fujii also noted that several Japanese companies operating in China are interested to move to the Philippines because of rising production cost and adverse political situation.

“The Philippines is a good destination for the manufacturing industry,” he said in an interview during a joint membership meeting of the Makati Business Club and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce “(Filipino) Workers have a generally good working behavior and they speak English well.”

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe noted that several Japanese manufacturers based in the Philippines such as Canon, Bandai, and Fujifilm have been expanding their operations.

He said bicycle maker Shimano is expected to put up a factory in the First Philippine Industrial Park in Batangas.

Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

The company plans to manufacture bike components for export to the so-called BRICS market that comprises the countries Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The factory is targeted for completions by next year.

“There are quite a few Japanese companies coming in,” he said.

Urabe presented during the joint membership meeting Japan’s set of bold economic policies – collectively known as ‘Abenomics,- that are aimed at stimulating investment in the private sector to revive the Japanese economy.

The so-called Abenomics consists of aggressive monetary easing, fiscal stimulus, and a growth strategy to stimulate private investment.

Urabe said that many of the challenges faced by Japan present trade and investment opportunities for Filipino and Japanese businesses.

Japan, for instance, is dealing with an ageing workforce while improving healthcare for the elderly. At the same time, the government is encouraging more women to join the workforce by devising ways to enable them to contribute to the economy and still take care of their families.

Urabe said this presents opportunities for Filipinos to invest in medical centers that provide healthcare for the elderly.

He said Japan is also keen on attracting skilled foreign workers and is encouraging its young to seek higher education to enable them to “operate on a global level.” –Czeriza Valencia (The Philippine Star)

April 2025

World Day for Safety and Health at Work
“Safety and health at work every day!”

Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideos

Time to support & empower survivors. Time to spark a global conversation. Time for #GenerationEquality to #orangetheworld!

Monthly Observances:

March – Women’s Role in History Month
April – Month of Planet Earth

Weekly Observances:
Last Week of March: Protection and Gender Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week
Last Week of April – World Immunization Week

Daily Observances:
Mar 25 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transallantic Slave Trade
Mar 27– Earth Hour
Apr 21 – Civil Service Day
Apr 22 – World Earth Day
Apr 28 – World Day for Safety and Health at Work

Categories