On March 2, 2023, the Philippines-Japan Economic Cooperation Committee, Inc. (PHILJEC) and its counterpart, the Japan-Philippines Economic Cooperation Committee (JPECC), gathered at the Tokyo Kaikan for their 39th Joint Meeting. The 38th Joint Meeting in 2021 was conducted online due to the pandemic, thus making this year’s topic a very timely one: “Deepening the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership in post Covid-19.”
The event was attended by honorable and prestigious diplomats, representatives, and business figures from both Japan and the Philippines. These guests were warmly welcomed by Mr. Teruo Asada, Chairman of JPECC, and Mr. Gerard B. Sanvictores, Chairman of PHILJEC, in each of their opening remarks. The congratulatory message of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was read by H.E. Kazuhiko Koshikawa, Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines. The Ambassador of the Philippines to Japan, H.E. Mylene J. Garcia-Albano, delivered her message on behalf of the President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. The Secretary-General of JPECC, Mr. Kazuto Sasaki, acted as the master of ceremonies. Ms. Maria Bernardita A. Mathay, Commercial Counsellor and Special Trade Representative of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC), delivered the keynote address on behalf of Secretary Alfredo Pascual of the Department of Trade and Industry.
Three plenary sessions were held this year. The first session was moderated by Ms. Yurika Suzuki, a Senior Research Fellow at the Development Studies Center, Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization (IDE-JETRO). It focused on “Trade and Investment Promotion” and was presented by the following speakers:
- Mr. Yuji Munehiro – Executive Officer, Executive Manager, Global Business Promotions Dept., Global Business H.Q., Chodai Co., Ltd.
- Mr. Richard Albert I. Osmond – President & COO, Science Park of the Philippines, Inc.; Co-Chairman, The Philippines-Japan Economic Cooperation Committee, Inc.
The second session was moderated by Mr. Hisashi Ichikawa, Chief Manager of the JTB Corporation and focused on the topic of “Tourism and Mutual Exchange” through the presentations of the following:
- Dr. Maria Christina G. Aquino – Former Chairperson, Tourism Industry Board Foundation, Inc. (TIBFI)
- Mr. Luis Alberto A. Anastacio – President and Chief Executive Officer, Servicio Filipino, Inc.
The last plenary session, which revolved around “Sustainability,” had Mr. Philip B. Sanvictores, Executive Chairman of Netmarks Philippines, Inc. as moderator, and the following as speakers:
- Mr. Ferdinand A. Ferrer – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Gruppo EMS Inc.; Trustee, The Philippines-Japan Economic Cooperation Committee, Inc. (PHILJEC)
- Mr. Tsuyoshi Teragaki – Executivve Officer, COO, Forest Products Div., Marubeni Corporation
- Mr. Hiromi Aoki – President, Suntech Co., Ltd.
Chairman Sanvictores and Chairman Asada each delivered their closing remarks after the plenary sessions and thanked all the participants for a meaningful Joint Meeting. The attendees then continued to enjoy a delicious welcome dinner hosted by JPECC.
On March 1st, the day prior to the Joint Meeting, a reception was organized by the Philippine Society of Japan (PSOJ) at the Sakura Room of the Imperial Hotel to welcome the PHILJEC delegates and Filipino members of the Philippines-Japan Society, Inc. (PJS). Mr. Mamoru Sekiyama, Chairman, and Mr. Makoto Katsura, President, respectively of PSOJ, welcomed the guests. Mr. Francis C. Laurel, President of PJS delivered a short speech at the event and H.E. Ambassador Mylene Garcia-Albano, who proposed a toast after the said speech.
To view the presentations, speeches, and documents relating to the 39th PHILJEC-JPECC meeting, please refer to our Resources below:
PHILJEC Chairman Mr. Gerard B. Sanvictores Welcome Remarks
JPECC Chairman Mr. Teruo Asada Welcome Remarks
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Congratulatory Message
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Congratulatory Message (signed message with official Photo)
