By Roy Mabasa
The Japanese government has conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon to a prominent Filipino entrepreneur who is the country’s biggest exporter of automobile parts for more than three decades.
Feliciano Torres, president and chief executive officer of the Yazaki Torres Corporation, received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon from Japanese Ambassador to Manila Koji Haneda during a conferment ceremony in Makati City last week.
Haneda conferred one of the highest Japanese recognitions to Torres on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, for the Filipino businessman’s “valuable contributions to Japan’s economy and automobile industry.”
From 1998, Torres served as co-Chairman of Philippines-Japan Economic Cooperation Committee (PHILJEC) and led dialogues on trade and investment between Japan and the Philippines.
Torres also helped lead and represent the position of the Philippine automobile industry during the crafting and development of the controversial Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), which faced serious challenges during negotiation.
As one of the captains of the industry, Torres serves as the chair of the Philippine Automotive Federation, chairman emeritus of Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines and a trustee of the Automotive Sector in PHILEXPORT.