Japan-Philippine Business Forum Tokyo Round Held

April 11, 2019by Philip Sanvictores in PHILJEC

Following the first Japan-Philippine Business Matching Forum held in Makati, Philippines last December, another business matching session took place on March 14 at the Conference Room of the No. 2 Office Building of the Members of the House of Representatives in Tokyo. The meeting was jointly organized by OISCA and the Philippine-Japan Economic Cooperation Committee (PHILJEC). Over 70 Japanese and Filipino business persons representing small and medium-sized enterprises participated in the Tokyo meeting to follow up the initial contact established with respective partners in the first meeting and to look for new business opportunities. Reflecting a growing interest in this event, the number of participants surpassed the capacity of the conference room as many people who were not registered beforehand showed up on the spot.

Mr. Yasuaki Nagaishi, Secretary General, OISCA International, opened the two parts Forum with his welcome remarks as the host. He expressed strong expectations for mutually beneficial business matching talks among the participants. Afterwards, Ms. Nora B. Braganza, President, Japan Employment Providers of the Philippines & Consultants’ Association (JEPPCA), delivered a key note speech She took up three main topics, namely the role of JEPPCA in the overseas employment program, overview of the recruitment process involving licensed agencies and reasons for hiring Filipino workers. JEPPCA is a professional association comprising 48 licensed recruitment agencies which dispatch workers to Japan and other countries for employment. It also provides capacity building programs for job seekers to prepare them for manpower placement projects in Japan. She explained in detail categories of jobs available for Filipino workers in Japan, specific requirements and recruitment and dispatching procedures. She cited the following 5 factors as the main reasons for hiring Filipino workers: “loyal”, “purpose driven”, “hardworking”, “cheerful and kind-hearted” and “flexible”.

As the second speaker, Ms. Isabel Laurel-Dimayuga, Deputy Secretary of Japanese Language Center Foundation made a presentation on the activities of her organization. The Foundation assists and supports the Philippine and Japanese Governments in the Japanese language training of Filipino candidates for nurses and caregivers under the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) since 2012. It runs 3 school branches, 2 in Makati and 1 in Manila.

Lastly, Dr. Luzviminda Jose, Sacred Heart Diagnostic Center, spoke on medical services needed by Filipino workers before deployment overseas. She introduced specific medical services and facilities available at her medical center located in Makati City.

After the first part, the Forum proceeded to one-to-one meetings between Japanese business persons and potential Filipino partners. The industries for business matching session ranged over several sectors, specifically care giving, agriculture, food stuffs, construction, IT and other areas. Against the background of the expected coming into force this April of the revised Japanese Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act which will provide for the introduction of up to 340,000 foreign workers over the next 5 years, there was a remarkably strong interest in exploring possibilities of dispatching and accepting workers. Asked about the significance of the business matching forum, Mr. Noel C. Litan, President of Profile Overseas Manpower Services Inc. in Makati City, replied: “At this stage, I am not sure if it will lead to successful business transactions, but I can say that the meeting has served as a useful opportunity for us to develop new business partners”.

To conclude the Tokyo meeting, Atty Aniceto G. Saludo, Chairman of PHILJEC, made closing remarks. He said: “Currently there are a number of government-to-government business talks going on between the Philippines and Japan. But they don’t necessarily cater for the needs of small enterprises. The increasing number of business persons from SME who are eager to join this event attests that we are offering a very important forum for initiating first contact”.

Photo and writeup courtesy of The Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement- International OISCA website

JPECC and PHILJEC Hold 37th Joint Meeting Focused on Strategic Partnership

April 2, 2019by Philip Sanvictores in JPECC, PHILJEC

The Philippines-Japan Economic Cooperation Committee, Inc. (PHILJEC) met with its Japanese counterpart, Japan-Philippines Economic Cooperation Committee (JPECC) for their 37^th Joint Meeting held last March 13, 2019 at the prestigious Tokyo Kaikan. This year’s joint meeting highlighted the two nations’ strategic economic partnership in key industries specifically, tourism, transportation, human resource, construction, and manufacturing.

Mr. Shinya Katanozaka (JPECC) and Atty. Aniceto G. Saludo, Jr. (PHILJEC) Chairmaan and Co-Chairman respectively of the 37th Joint Meeting welcomed all participants with their opening remarks. Congratulatory messages from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan and President Rodrigo R. Duterte of the Philippines were read by Ambassadors Koji Haneda and Jose C. Laurel V, respectively. The Philippines’ Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez and Transport Secretary Arthur P. Tugade were this year’s Keynote Speakers.

Two plenary sessions were held and attended by top executives from the Japanese and Filipino business communities. The first session focused on the theme “Tourism and Infrastructure Development” discussed by the following speakers:

Hon. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat – Secretary, Department of Tourism
Mr. Takashi Sasaki – Special Advisor, JTB Corp.
Mr. Isao Hosoya – Executive Officer, Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.
Atty. Michael Toledo – Managing Director, MVP Group of Companies
Mr. Roberto Jose L. Castillo – President and CEO, EEI Corporation

The second session focused on “Human Resource Development and Exchange” which featured the following speakers:

Ms. Doris Magsaysay-Ho – President & CEO, Magsaysay Group of Companies
Mr. Shuichiro Yoshida – Assistant General Manager, Marine Safety Division, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
Mr. Kentaro Ozawa – Executive Director of International Business, Human Holdings Co., Ltd.
Atty. Villamor Ventura S. Plan – Deputy Administrator Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA)

The PHILJEC Delegation consisted of 74 delegates, one of the largest ever assembled for a Joint Meeting held in Tokyo. The night before the Joint Meeting, the visiting Filipinos were invited to a Welcome Dinner for the Philippines-Japan Society at the Imperial Hotel hosted by the Philippine Society of Japan led by Mr. Mamoru Sekiyama, Chairman and Ambassador Makoto Katsura, President. On the other hand, JPECC hosted sumptuous lunch and dinner at the Tokyo Kaikan during the Joint Meeting.

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Resources:

37^th PHILJEC-JPECC Joint Meeting Program

Photo Album

Presentations of Speakers

PJLA Members Enjoy Afternoon of Cooking & Tea in February Activity

April 2, 2019by Philip Sanvictores in PJLA

It was a big gathering of PJLA members during the Japanese Cooking and Tea Ceremony activity in February hosted by Madame Ihoko Haneda at the Ambassador’s Residence in Makati City. The activity featured Japanese guests who demonstrated “茶道” (Sadou) or tea ceremony and the different “和菓子” (Wagashi) or Japanese traditional sweets that are made by hand and usually enjoyed together with the tea.

During the demo, the ladies sampled different types of Wagashi based on the four seasons of Japan and learned the different steps and procedures involved in traditional tea ceremony such as cleaning the utensils and exchanging tea bowls.

“The tea ceremony was very formal, meaningful, and expressive of the Japanese culture,” said PJLA Adviser, Mrs. Herminia Alcasid. “The Japanese sweets were symbolic of the four seasons of Japan created artistically. It was an afternoon of learning experience!”

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Resources:

Photo Album

Fukuda Doctrine Commemorative Marker Unveiled at Manila Hotel

March 27, 2019by Philip Sanvictores in PJS

In celebration of the 40^th year of the Fukuda Doctrine, representatives from Japan and ASEAN gathered at the Manila Hotel on October 1, 2018 to witness the unveiling of the Doctrine’s Commemorative Marker spearheaded by The Philippines-Japan Society. After the unveiling, a symposium was also held at the Fiesta Pavilion where the Doctrine was first pronounced by the late Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda on August 18, 1977.

Former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, son of PM Takeo Fukuda, was present to personally lead the unveiling ceremony. He was accompanied by other special guests: Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda, Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea, Philippines-Japan Society President Francis C. Laurel, Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs Jose Luis G. Montales, and Philippine Ambassador to Japan Jose C. Laurel V.

Speakers for the symposium that morning were Dr. Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Chairman of the Indonesia-Japan Friendship Association; Ambassador Delia D. Albert, former Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines; and Dr. Mie Oba, Professor of Tokyo University of Science. Dr. Kartasasmita presented a historical perspective on the Fukuda Doctrine while Amb. Albert talked about ASEAN-Japan-Philippines Relations, and Dr. Oba gave insights on the future relations between ASEAN and Japan.

Since its pronouncement in 1977, The Fukuda Doctrine has served as the blueprint for Japan’s foreign policy towards ASEAN. It has 3 key principles:

Japan is committed to peace and rejects the role of a military power;

Japan will consolidate the relationship of mutual confidence and trust based on “heart-to-heart” understanding among peoples of Japan and Southeast Asia; and,

Japan will cooperate positively with ASEAN [the Association of Southeast Asian Nations] while aiming to foster a relationship based on mutual understanding with the countries of Indochina and will thus contribute to the building of peace and prosperity throughout Southeast Asia.

The Fukuda Doctrine Commemorative Marker was designed at the instance of The Philippines-Japan Society by Filipino scholars of the Japanese Government studying at the University of the Philippines, Los Baños.

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Resources:

NCF Teacher Recruitment 2019

March 26, 2019by Philip Sanvictores in PIJLC-NCF

The Philippine Institute of Japanese Language and Culture and Nihongo Center Foundation are now accepting applicants for Full-time and Part-time Faculty positions. Applicants should be a college graduate and have JLPT N4 and above proficiency.

Requirements:
CV with photo
JLPT certificate (N4 and above)
College Diploma
Brief Lesson Plan

To interested applicants, please send your application requirements to kbiscarrancf@gmail.com by April 30, 2019.

For more inquiries, email kbiscarrancf@gmail.com.

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