The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) paid tribute to the late Shunsaku Tamiya, chairman of Tamiya Inc., whose passing on 18 July at the age of 90 marked the end of an era for the global model-making community and the Filipino workers whose lives he helped transform.

Tamiya, a revered figure in the world of hobby and scale models, was best known for steering his family’s company into a global leader in toy and plastic model manufacturing. Under his leadership, Tamiya lived up to its motto of being “First in Quality Around the World.”

In 1994, Tamiya made a pioneering move that would leave a lasting imprint on the Philippines.

He established Tamiya Philippines Inc. in the Mactan Economic Zone (MEZ) in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, one of the earliest Japanese investments facilitated by PEZA during the tenure of then director general Lilia de Lima.

The decision not only brought high-precision manufacturing to Philippine shores but also helped cement MEZ’s status as a hub for world-class industrial excellence.

Lives uplifted

“Tamiya’s enduring trust in the Philippines is a gift that continues to uplift thousands of lives,” PEZA director general Tereso Panga said.

“He exemplified the kind of investor and partner that transforms not just economies, but communities.”

Today, Tamiya Philippines stands as a key anchor in Cebu, employing over 900 Filipinos.

The company reaffirmed its long-term commitment to the country in 2023 by investing over P2 billion in a new facility at the Cebu Light Industrial Park, further expanding its manufacturing footprint and creating more quality jobs for Cebuanos.

PEZA also recognized Tamiya’s symbolic contribution to the agency’s identity. Upon assuming office, DG Panga designated the “Tamiya Dyipne” — a scale model of the iconic Philippine jeepney made by Tamiya’s Cebu facility — as PEZA’s official token to foreign investors.

The Dyipne now serves as a symbol of Filipino-Japanese collaboration and is presented to executives worldwide during PEZA’s investment promotions.