Japanese firm to bring karaoke, onsen, gym to Phl – DTI

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will welcome Koshidaka Holdings this coming April as the Japanese firm plans to expand its operations outside Japan and chooses the Philippines.

Koshidaka offers general leisure services, with a focus on two businesses: karaoke and hot spring facilities.

In a virtual press conference on Tuesday, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said Koshidaka is bringing in its ‘onsen’ (hot spring), karaoke, and gym for women to be erected in Manila’s malls, hotels, and condominiums.

“They are very particular with the location for their planned expansion, in which they would want to operate even if the malls are close. I have already spoken with the Vice President of Ayala Malls, as well as the SM Group, and they are very interested in this leisure business coming from Koshidaka,” Roque told reporters.

 She said she will personally assist the Koshidaka management in April to set a meeting with mall operators and real estate brokers to find suitable spaces for its line of businesses.

“Koshidaka also wanted those areas that are highly populated, for example, areas with condominium units that could (really) take advantage of this kind of leisure investment,” she said.

In a report by Nikkei Asia, it was said that Japanese karaoke chain operator Koshidaka Holdings is planning to expand in the Southeast Asian region and the United States, quintupling its 21 branches to more than 100 in the next few years.

Earlier, Koshidaka Holdings CEO and founder, Hiroshi Koshidaka, during their meeting in Tokyo with Secretary Roque last March 5, presented its Southeast Asia expansion strategy, which includes establishing a fully owned subsidiary, Koshidaka PH, by mid-2025.

The company plans to open its first store in Metro Manila by the end of 2025, expanding to 30 locations and eventually to 100 locations nationwide.

Secretary Roque noted that Koshidaka Holdings’ target demographic of young people under 30 years old aligns with the country’s youthful and vibrant consumer market.

She added that Filipinos’ love for karaoke as a form of entertainment and the appeal of bathhouses as a relaxation space make the Philippines an ideal market for the company.

Secretary Roque reaffirmed the DTI’s commitment to bolstering trade and investment ties with Japan, emphasizing its support for leading companies like Koshidaka Holdings.

She highlighted DTI’s dedication to fostering a conducive business environment that attracts investors, facilitates market entry, and drives economic growth and innovation.