The Philippines secured ₱210 billion, or US$3.4 billion under the Presidential Communications Office conversion, in fresh investment pledges from Japanese corporations during President Bongbong Marcos’s Tokyo business roundtable on Wednesday, May 27.
The roundtable, held at the Imperial Hotel, anchored Marcos’ first state visit to Japan from May 26 to 29. The PCO said All Nippon Airways, Toyota, Mitsubishi Corporation, Marubeni, Panasonic, Fast Retailing, and other firms committed capital across smart manufacturing, green metals, renewable energy, tourism infrastructure, eco-tourism, aviation, and technology transfer.
“The Philippines is pursuing a clear national direction: building an economy where infrastructure, industry, finance, human capital, and connectivity move together as one system,” Marcos told Japanese executives, according to the PCO.
Trade Secretary Maria Cristina Roque and Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay joined the President. The PCO said the pledges are expected to generate thousands of jobs, strengthen local industries, improve tourism facilities, and support technology transfer.
On Thursday, May 28, Marcos’ meetings with specific Japanese firms produced another ₱56.3 billion in commitments, according to Manila Bulletin. Tsuneishi Group Corporation pledged to expand its Philippine shipbuilding facility, saying the move could help push the country toward becoming the world’s fourth-largest shipbuilding nation.
Sumitomo Electric Industries committed ₱4.3 billion through First Sumiden Circuits for a new 4,706-square-meter advanced electronics facility in Cabuyao, Laguna. MinebeaMitsumi outlined plans for semiconductor back-end manufacturing, battery components, and analog semiconductor operations in Cebu, while Furukawa Electric confirmed expansion of its Laguna Technopark operations for thermal-management components used in data centers.
Marcos is set to return to Manila Friday after the state visit closes, bringing home investment pledges aimed at jobs, industry, tourism, aviation, and higher-value manufacturing.
