PHILJEC Hosts the 14th Asian Business Summit in Manila

July 30, 2025by secretariat in PHILJEC tagged 14th ABS, 14th Asian Business Summit, ABS, Asian Business Summit, Keidanren

The 14th Asian Business Summit was held in Manila on July 3–4, 2025, marking 11 years since the Philippines first hosted the summit in 2014. This year’s event was co-organized by the Philippine-Japan Economic Cooperation Committee (PHILJEC) and the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), bringing together business leaders from over 12 economies for meaningful intra-regional dialogue.

Ahead of the summit discussions, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. welcomed the heads of delegation during a courtesy call at Malacañang Palace on July 3. In his remarks, the President emphasized the importance of interdependence and strengthened cooperation amid ongoing challenges in the global economy.

On July 4, delegates convened at the Grand Hyatt Hotel for the main sessions of the 14th Asian Business Summit. Mr. Richard Albert I. Osmond, PHILJEC Chairman, delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing this year’s theme: “Towards Strengthening Asian Economic Cooperation in Challenging Times.” Mr. Masayuki Hyodo, Vice Chairman of Keidanren, also addressed the assembly, raising critical issues currently confronting the Asian region.

The Summit tackled four thematic plenary sessions that focused on key regional economic challenges and opportunities. Following the discussions, a Joint Statement was released, affirming the delegates’ shared commitment to achieving sustainable growth through enhanced trade, investment, innovation, and human resource development across the region.

The Joint Statement highlighted four priority areas:

Strengthening the Rules-Based International Economic Order
The Summit stressed the importance of maintaining a free, open, and rules-based international economic system. Given heightened fragilities of global supply chains and the increasingly complex geopolitical ecosystem, the role of plurilateral and bilateral Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in advancing trade and investment throughout Asia were emphasized.
SePromoting Green Transformation through Diverse Pathways
In response to increasing fossil fuel dependency and the intensifying impacts of climate change, the Summit called for the promotion of green transformation initiatives. These are deemed vital to achieving a decarbonized and sustainable future for the region.
Fostering Innovation through AI and Start-up Development
The role of innovation – particularly generative AI – was recognized as both transformative and disruptive for society and the global and regional economy. The Summit advocated for the establishment of international rules regarding customs duties on electronic transmissions and the promotion of a secure cyberspace. The need to cultivate a vibrant start-up ecosystem through regulatory reform and streamlined processes was also emphasized.
Enhancing Regional Strength through Human Resource Development
The Summit encouraged the development of diverse human capital via exchange programs, new educational models, cultural immersion opportunities, and the easing of residency requirements. It also proposed the mutual recognition of professional licenses and qualifications, alongside the conclusion of social security agreements, to support greater mobility and integration.

Following the conclusion of the plenary sessions, a ceremonial handover was conducted to formally pass the responsibility to the next host of the Asian Business Summit – the Singapore Business Federation. Final remarks were then delivered, after which the meeting was officially adjourned.

That evening, a farewell dinner was held, attended by several foreign dignitaries accredited to the Philippines, as well as local government officials. Among those present were:

His Excellency Agus Widjojo, the Ambassador of the Embassy of Indonesia
His Excellency Kazuya Endo, the Ambassador and Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of Japan
Her Excellency Constance See, the Ambassador of Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Manila
Her Excellency Makawadee Sumitmor, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Royal Thai Embassy, Manila
The Honorable Wallace Minn-Gan Chow, Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office
Ms. Hyun-Jung Jung, Economic Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of the Philippines
Ms. Kay Thew Khine, Economic Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
Mr. Jeevan Kandpal, Second Secretary (Economic & Commerce Wing) of the Embassy of India, Manila
Atty. Allan B. Gepty, Undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry
Ms. Ma. Bernadita Angara-Mathay, Commercial Counsellor of DTI-PTIC
Mr. Paul Vincent L. Uy, Assistant Secretary (Office of International Economic Relations) of the Department of Foreign Affairs

References:
Opening Remarks of Mr. Richard Osmond
Joint Statement
Photos
Presidential Communications Office
Keidanren

PHILJEC Welcomes New Members in Induction and Meet & Greet Reception

June 20, 2025by secretariat in PHILJEC tagged Induction Ceremony, Jun Pilares, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, Micromatic Industries Incorporated, MPIC

The Philippines-Japan Economic Cooperation Committee, Inc. (PHILJEC) formally welcomed its newly elected members during an induction ceremony held on June 11, 2025, at the Philippines-Japan Friendship Foundation in Makati City. The event was led by PHILJEC Chairman Richard Albert I. Osmond, who officiated the induction and extended his warm congratulations to the incoming members.

The ceremony began with a formal induction of distinguished companies into PHILJEC’s growing network. Among those welcomed were:

Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, whose Principal Representative is Ms. June Cheryl A. Cabal-Revilla, Executive Vice President. She was represented at the ceremony by Atty. Ricardo “Jun” M. Pilares III, Vice President for Legal, Corporate Secretary, Compliance Officer, and Corporate Governance Officer.

Micromatic Industries Incorporated, represented by its President and CEO, Mr. John Allan T. Vinta.

Following the induction, members and guests gathered for a meet-and-greet cocktail reception. PHILJEC Secretary-General Philip B. Sanvictores opened the evening with remarks emphasizing PHILJEC’s ongoing commitment to fostering collaboration and advancing shared economic goals between the Philippines and Japan.

To mark the occasion, Mr. Sanvictores offered a celebratory toast in honor of the newly inducted members, symbolizing the beginning of strengthened partnerships and collective growth. The evening concluded on a warm and lively note, as attendees engaged in meaningful exchanges that reflected PHILJEC’s spirit of cooperation and mutual advancement.

JULY 2025 JLPT TEST VENUE ANNOUNCEMENT

May 22, 2025by secretariat in Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)

ANNOUNCEMENT

April 16, 2025by secretariat in Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)

SAPILNIP Holds Second Lecture on “Reflections on the ‘Imin’ as a ‘Lost’ Settler Community in Iloilo”

April 15, 2025by secretariat in NANTOKU, SAPILNIP

On March 29, 2025, the Samahan ng mga Pilipinong Nag-Aral at Nanirahan sa Nippon (SAPILNIP) continued its “Nantoku Lecture Series” at the University of the Philippines Visayas, Iloilo City Campus. The featured speaker, Dr. Ma. Luisa Mabunay, Ph.D., a retired professor from UP Visayas, delivered a powerful and enlightening lecture on the little-known history of the Imin—early Japanese immigrants who settled in Iloilo during the early 20th century.

The “Nantoku Lectures” are part of SAPILNIP’s efforts, led by descendants of the wartime Nanpo Tokubetsu Ryugakusei (南方特別留学生 or “Nantoku”), to rediscover and discuss neglected histories of Filipino-Japanese encounters. This series seeks to explore individual and collective narratives that highlight the long-standing human connections between the two nations.

Framed within the theme of “Japanese Migration and Memory,” Dr. Mabunay’s presentation shed light on the Imin’s overlooked legacy as economic refugees and settlers, many of whom became entangled in the turbulent currents of war and occupation. Through carefully retracing historical narratives and personal accounts, the lecture invited attendees to reflect on how these migrants shaped Iloilo’s cultural and economic landscape.

Dr. Mabunay narrated the Imin’s journey— from their arrival and settlement in Iloilo to the social stigmas and prejudices their descendants faced in the years following the Second World War. She emphasized how these “suppressed selves” became silent witnesses to a “lost” community whose presence gradually disappeared from public memory and historical records due to postwar repatriation and erasure. Dr. Mabunay discussed how the rise of global migration and war tensions in the early 20th century positioned the Imin in a vulnerable space between belonging and othering. She highlighted how Japanese laborers who initially migrated for agricultural and construction work—particularly in Iloilo’s economic zones—contributed quietly but significantly to the local economy. The lecture also explored themes of reconciliation and remembrance, which highlighted contemporary efforts to reconnect with the past through family reunions, memorials, and public initiatives that honor the Imin legacy. These gestures not only provide closure for descendants but also foster broader conversations about identity, belonging, and historical justice. Dr. Mabunay further reflected on how local oral histories and the rediscovery of graves, documents, and photographs have helped piece together fragmented accounts of Japanese-Filipino interactions in Iloilo.

Special attention was also given to the Nikkeijin— descendants of Japanese migrants—and their continuing efforts to reclaim identity amidst the broader context of economic migration. Their stories serve as a reminder of the deep-seated ties between the Philippines and Japan, shaped not only by official diplomacy but also by personal and collective encounters across time.

To cap off the event, participants were invited to accomplish a survey questionnaire— a reflective activity aimed at capturing their insights and responses to the lecture. This final segment contributes to SAPILNIP’s ongoing commitment to documenting public memory and fostering deeper engagement with the enduring legacy of the Imin.

Through initiatives like the Nantoku Lecture Series, SAPILNIP continues to illuminate forgotten narratives and honor the lived experiences that lie at the intersections of Filipino and Japanese histories. By revisiting the stories of the Imin and engaging communities in dialogue and reflection, the series not only bridges past and present but also inspires a more inclusive and compassionate understanding of shared heritage— one story, one voice at a time.

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