The government is leading efforts to restore the Philippines’ strong presence in Japan’s banana market by advocating for reduced tariffs and more favorable trade terms.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. recently met with Japan’s State Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Hirofumi Takinami to push for better arrangements under the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA).

“The Philippines takes great pride in being Japan’s top banana supplier. To sustain and expand this industry, we must push for tariff reductions," the agri chief said, emphasizing that this will not only increase investment in banana production "but also drive poverty alleviation, job creation, and economic security, especially in Mindanao."

According to the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, while Japan has yet to commit to reviewing PJEPA, officials have suggested addressing trade concerns under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a broader free trade agreement involving ASEAN countries, China, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.

However, the Philippines prefers a bilateral review of PJEPA, arguing that a regional approach may lead to uneven benefits.

“In RCEP, if you give a concession to one, you have to extend it to all. Countries do not have the same needs,” said Dita Angara-Mathay, commercial counselor at the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo.

Laurel also met with Japanese banana importers and Philippine exporters in Tokyo for a roundtable discussion.