Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Undersecretary Carmela I. Torres (third from right) joins officials from DOLE, the Public Employment Service Office Managers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PESOMAP), and Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) during a study visit to Hello Work Chiba in Tokyo, Japan, on March 13 to 14, 2025. Also in photo (L-R): Mr. Takashi Sugimori, Section Chief, Public Employment Security Bureau, MHLW; Mr. Romualdo Garcia, Vice President for Luzon, PESOMAP; DOLE-NCR Regional Director Sarah Buena S. Mirasol; Mr. Masahiko Yamada, Director General, Employment Security Bureau, MHLW; Director Patrick P. Patriwirawan, Jr., CESO III, Bureau of Local Employment; and Ms. Minako Takasaki, Project Coordinator, WAPES Executive Secretariat. (Photo courtesy of DOLE)

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is set to enhance job facilitation in the country by adopting digital innovations from Japan’s AI-powered “Hello Work” system, following a high-level study mission in Tokyo.

DOLE Undersecretary Carmela I. Torres led the Philippine delegation to the Japan–World Association of Public Employment Services (WAPES) Joint Project held from Mar. 13 to 14, hosted by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW).

Joining Torres were Bureau of Local Employment Director Patrick P. Patriwirawan Jr., DOLE-NCR Regional Director Sarah Buena S. Mirasol, and Public Employment Service Office Managers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PESOMAP) Vice President for Luzon Romualdo Garcia.

Japan was represented by Employment Security Bureau Director-General Masahiko Yamada and Assistant Minister for International Labour Affairs Hideki Okumura, who shared insights into the country’s digitalized employment facilitation efforts.

During the two-day engagement, the Philippine delegation presented the PESO Five-Point Agenda, which focuses on digital transformation, institutional strengthening, and the expansion of job facilitation services for vulnerable sectors, including youth, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities.

Japan’s Hello Work initiative was highlighted as a model for technology-driven public employment services, featuring AI-powered job matching, labor market analytics, and digital platforms that efficiently connect job seekers with employers.

As part of the study visit, the delegation toured Hello Work Chiba, where they observed automated job referral systems and digital services designed to streamline employment facilitation.

Torres said adopting similar innovations could strengthen the operational capacity of Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) nationwide, particularly in responding to the evolving demands of the labor market.

“This engagement allows us to learn from Japan’s advanced employment services while refining our own approaches to ensure more inclusive and efficient job facilitation in the Philippines,” she said.

“By strengthening our PESOs and embracing digitalization, we are bringing government employment services closer to the people and making job opportunities more accessible to all,” she added.

The engagement concluded with a commitment to sustained technical cooperation under the Japan-WAPES initiative.