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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider Japanese firms commit ₱51 billion in Philippine investments

Japanese firms commit ₱51 billion in Philippine investments

Published Sep 15, 2025 11:15 am
The Philippines has secured a total of ₱51 billion in investment pledges from Japanese companies following last week’s visit of the administration’s economic team to Japan, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said on Monday, Sept. 15.
Trade Secretary Cristina Roque announced during the Philippine Economic Briefing (PEB) in Osaka last Friday, Sept. 12, that the country gained new investments and project expansions from four Japanese conglomerates.
These investments—spanning consumer services, property development, advanced industries, clean energy, and leisure and entertainment—were finalized during high-level discussions led by the DTI’s Japan unit under Special Trade Representative Dita Angara-Mathay.
Roque said these meetings enabled the economic team, who was in Japan, to jointly review the projects, including the government’s support for the smooth rollout of the investments.
The visiting economic managers included Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Ralph Recto, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin, and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Zeno Abenoja.
Angara-Mathay said the presence of the country’s top economic officials “sent a powerful signal to investors.”
“Their collective participation assured investors of high-level government commitment and seamless coordination—giving confidence that these projects will be fast-tracked from commitment to execution,” she said.
Among the deals secured was a ₱34-billion investment from Koshidaka Holdings Co. Ltd., operator of popular karaoke chain Karaoke Manekineko.
Koshidaka plans to open up to 300 chains across the country over the next decade, generating over 1,500 direct jobs.
The DTI said earlier that Koshidaka will establish a fully owned subsidiary, Koshidaka Philippines, within the year as part of its expansion plans.
The country’s first Karaoke Manekineko branch in Metro Manila is expected to open by the end of 2025.
Meanwhile, trading and investment conglomerate Marubeni Corp. has pledged to invest ₱15 billion in the country, covering projects in real estate, financial technology (fintech), healthcare, and afforestation.
Sojitz Corp., another trading and investment giant, has signified intent to invest up to ₱3 billion in a local property developer, which, in turn, will attract firms in the sectors of artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductor design, software, and healthcare.
The company has likewise floated interest in investing in the country’s aviation sector.
The DTI reported earlier that wellness firm Nambu Co. Ltd. will inject around ₱4 billion to build senior care and assisted-living facilities.
Nambu plans to develop a network of 10 Japanese-style retirement and wellness centers nationwide, with its first facility in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, expected to open this year.
General trading firm Mitsui & Co. also affirmed its partnership with Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) and Steel Asia on a steel recycling project aimed at achieving circular economy and decarbonization goals.
Roque said these investment pledges reflect the Marcos Jr. administration’s vision for an innovation-driven economy that welcomes partnerships and delivers inclusive growth.
“These commitments in green energy, smart housing, healthcare, and creative services highlight the strength of our partnership with Japan,” said Roque.
“The DTI and the economic team will work together to ensure these projects generate quality jobs, strengthen supply chains, and advance the country’s shift to a green, digital, and broad-based economy,” she added.
According to the latest BSP data, net inflows of foreign direct investments (FDI) from January to June reached $3.4 billion, which is 24-percent lower than the $4.5 billion posted in the first semester of last year.
Japan was the top source of equity capital placements in the first six months, accounting for 43 percent of total.
The manufacturing sector received half of these investments, followed by real estate, and finance and insurance.

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Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Cristina Roque
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