Phl, Japan reaffirm ties at 42nd PHILJEC-JPECC meet

Top Filipino and Japanese business leaders gathered in Manila on 19 February for the 42nd Joint Meeting of the Philippines-Japan Economic Cooperation Committee (PHILJEC) and the Japan-Philippines Economic Cooperation Committee (JPECC), reaffirming commitments to deepen bilateral trade, investments and strategic collaboration.

Held at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Taguig City, the annual meeting marked seven decades of Philippines-Japan friendship and highlighted opportunities to further strengthen economic partnerships anchored on harmony, prosperity and strategic cooperation.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sent a message to the gathering, emphasizing the importance of advancing cooperation in finance, energy and human capital development to bolster economic growth and uplift communities in both countries.

"For decades, your organizations have been crucial to the promotion of trade and economic cooperation, as well as to the advancement of scientific and technological exchanges between our two nations," the President said.

"Your work has helped give form and direction to our special relationship, steering it towards initiatives that are mutually beneficial and responsive to the strategic interests of Japan and the Philippines," he added.

Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also conveyed a message, underscoring continued collaboration between the two nations.

The joint meeting brought together more than 100 senior business leaders from both sides to discuss socio-economic conditions, emerging trends and new investment opportunities.

Plenary sessions tackled the evolution of bilateral economic relations over the past 70 years, promising investment opportunities, collaborative ventures and the next level of Philippines-Japan cooperation.

Finance Secretary Frederick Go delivered the keynote address, while discussions featured executives from leading firms including Ayala Corporation, Marubeni Philippines Corporation, Metro Pacific Investments, Toyota Motor Philippines and other major Japanese and Filipino companies.

PHILJEC, established in 1974, serves as the Philippine counterpart to JPECC and works closely with major Japanese business groups such as the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Keizai Doyukai and Keidanren.

The annual joint meetings alternate between the Philippines and Japan. This year’s event was hosted by PHILJEC in Manila.