The inclusion of Philippine products in the roster of brands carried by Japanese retail powerhouse Pan Pacific International Holdings Corporation (PPIH) was discussed during a meeting between the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and PPIH officials.

PPIH, the Japanese firm behind global brands Don Quijote and Don Don Donki store chains, is engaged in the retail of home electrical appliances, miscellaneous household goods, food, watches and fashion-related merchandise.

On Tuesday, the DTI said Trade Secretary Cristina Roque met with PPIH executives in Tokyo to expand the sourcing of Philippine products for inclusion in PPIH’s global store network, particularly in Japan, the United States and other Asian markets.

Strong interest was expressed by PPIH in increasing the visibility of Filipino-made goods in their retail ecosystem, both as standalone Philippine-branded products and as ingredients or components for Japanese-packaged offerings tailored to local markets.

“We welcome every opportunity to introduce Filipino products to the world, especially through partners who share our commitment to innovation, inclusion, and excellence. Engagements like this underscore our dedication to creating new market avenues for Filipino enterprises,” Roque said during the meeting.

PPIH identified food and wellness items, natural and sustainable home goods and unique lifestyle products as key areas of sourcing interest.

Connect directly with Phl exporters

Further, the Japanese company also expressed a desire to connect directly with more Philippine exporters and manufacturers, beyond current intermediaries, to gain better access to new and trending products.

The company’s interest in sourcing quality goods that reflect both value and cultural appeal presents promising prospects for Philippine exporters.

With this, Roque emphasized the Philippines’ growing export capabilities and affirmed the government’s readiness to assist Japanese partners in identifying and onboarding suppliers that meet international standards.

Moreover, the discussions also explored collaborative solutions to address regulatory and packaging requirements, facilitating smoother entry of Philippine products into foreign retail markets.

Sourcing partnership

While PPIH noted that opening a Donki store in the Philippines remains a long-term consideration, executives acknowledged that a successful sourcing partnership with the Philippine government and exporters could play a significant role in including the Philippines in future regional expansion plans.