Japanese investors’ robust reception at the Philippine Economic Briefing in Osaka underscores their strong confidence in the Marcos Jr. administration’s economic agenda, as Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto commits to protecting their investments.

“[Y]ou will be welcomed by a government that is not only transparent and guided by good governance, but is decisive and unafraid to act and address corruption. We will continuously earn your trust and confidence by protecting your investments and delivering on our promises,” the Finance Chief said.

Philippine Economic Briefings are a platform for the government to showcase the country’s strong economic outlook and investment opportunities to foreign investors. The briefing in Osaka gathered more than 280 Japanese investors and guests.

During the event, Secretary Recto spotlighted the Philippines’ strategic advantages and complementarities with Japan, such as its strong economic fundamentals, rapidly expanding domestic market, and young, dynamic workforce.

“Osaka’s DNA is entrepreneurship. And we, too, are a nation of builders and innovators hungry for growth. This is why we believe that the hardy enterprises of this city can find a natural home in the Philippines,” he said.

The Finance Chief also assured Japanese investors that the Philippine government has undertaken sweeping reforms to make the country one of the most attractive and hospitable destinations for foreign investments in Asia.

Foremost among these is the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act, which provides a more competitive and generous package of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.

The law also resolves a long-standing concern of Japanese exporters by exempting export-oriented enterprises from value-added tax.

He highlighted the success stories of Japanese companies already thriving in the Philippines, such as Tsuneishi Group, which built the world’s first-ever methanol-powered bulk carrier in the country—cementing the Philippines’ place as one of the world’s top shipbuilding nations.

Japan remains the largest investor in the country’s economic zones, supporting operations that have already generated over 320,000 quality jobs for Filipinos.

“Our goal is simple: to dramatically increase the footprint of the 3,018 Japanese-owned projects already thriving in the Philippines, most of which are in the manufacturing sector,” Secretary Recto said.

Meanwhile, the Finance Chief said the country is very keen to welcome more top-tier Japanese companies to support the Build, Better, More infrastructure agenda, such as Shimizu Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation, and Sumitomo Group, which helped develop the country’s railway and road projects.

As the Philippines and Japan celebrate 70 years of bilateral relations, Secretary Recto expressed confidence in forging even stronger partnerships moving forward.

“Seven decades of trust is a powerful foundation. But the true measure of friendship is not how long it has lasted, but how far it can still go,” he said.

“So I stand before you not only as a finance secretary, but as a salesman of a simple truth: Osaka’s spirit of innovation, matched with Filipino talent and drive, can forge a partnership that will shape the economic future of Asia,” he added.

The Philippine team was composed of Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan; Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque; Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon S. Garin; Department of Transportation (DOTr) Acting Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez; and senior officials from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Prior to the event, the Philippine delegation convened the Philippines-Japan High-Level Joint Committee Meeting on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation and engaged with Japan’s top investors through one-on-one meetings. The companies include Sojitz, Mitsui & Co, Koshidaka Holdings Co., Ltd., Marubeni Corporation, and the Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren).

The main objective of these high-level engagements is to secure greater financing support for the Philippines’ big-ticket infrastructure projects and to attract more Japanese investments, including the expansion of existing Japanese businesses and the entry of new investors into the country to create more jobs for Filipinos and drive economic growth.