PHILJEC Adviser Mr. Feliciano Torres Conferred Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon

April 30, 2019by Philip Sanvictores in PHILJEC, PJS

Ambassador Koji Haneda on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan conferred upon PHILJEC Adviser and PJS Medal of Merit Awardee, Mr. Feliciano Torres, The Order of the Rising Sun with Neck Ribbon in an awarding reception held on January 10, 2019 at the Japanese Ambassador’s Residence. The Imperial Award was given in recognition of Mr. Torres’ valuable contributions to Japan’s economy and automobile industry being the President of Yazaki Torres Corporation, the country’s number one exporter of automotive parts for more than three decades.

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Torres expressed his gratitude to the people and organizations whom he has worked with throughout the years. These included the Late Ambassador Jose S. Laurel III, Mr. Gregorio Uy Lim of UE Automotive, and his father and role model, Mr. Antonio T. Torres.

Mr. Torres also emphasized that for 45 years, Yazaki-Torres Manufacturing has maintained industrial peace by being fair to its people. “When I am asked what is the strength that leads to success, my answer is always this—the discipline, determination, and unity of our company’s human capital—our people,” Mr. Torres said. “In this light, to be conferred The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, among many deserving, is a milestone not just for myself or our companies, but for our employees, our partners and for all of us that strive to cultivate and strengthen Philippine-Japan relations.”

In his speech, Ambassador Haneda praised the personal philosophy of Mr. Torres—his belief in kokoro to kokoro no fureai or heart-to-heart relationship founded on mutual trust and respect. He also mentioned the vital role Mr. Torres had in crafting the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA). “Mr. Torres viewed JPEPA as a vital economic measure for Japan and the Philippines to rev up our cooperation and open a wide range of opportunities that would ultimately cascade to our industries. True enough, his steadfast commitment to this cause still redounds to the dynamic exchanges being enjoyed by our automobile sectors to this day,” said the Ambassador.

From 1998 to 2000, Mr. Torres served as Chairman of PHILJEC and led dialogues on economic, cultural, and business development between Japan and the Philippines. He led and represented the position of the automobile industry of the Philippines during the crafting and development of the JPEPA.

Resources:

Japan-Philippine Business Forum Tokyo Round Held

April 11, 2019by Philip Sanvictores in PHILJEC

Following the first Japan-Philippine Business Matching Forum held in Makati, Philippines last December, another business matching session took place on March 14 at the Conference Room of the No. 2 Office Building of the Members of the House of Representatives in Tokyo. The meeting was jointly organized by OISCA and the Philippine-Japan Economic Cooperation Committee (PHILJEC). Over 70 Japanese and Filipino business persons representing small and medium-sized enterprises participated in the Tokyo meeting to follow up the initial contact established with respective partners in the first meeting and to look for new business opportunities. Reflecting a growing interest in this event, the number of participants surpassed the capacity of the conference room as many people who were not registered beforehand showed up on the spot.

Mr. Yasuaki Nagaishi, Secretary General, OISCA International, opened the two parts Forum with his welcome remarks as the host. He expressed strong expectations for mutually beneficial business matching talks among the participants. Afterwards, Ms. Nora B. Braganza, President, Japan Employment Providers of the Philippines & Consultants’ Association (JEPPCA), delivered a key note speech She took up three main topics, namely the role of JEPPCA in the overseas employment program, overview of the recruitment process involving licensed agencies and reasons for hiring Filipino workers. JEPPCA is a professional association comprising 48 licensed recruitment agencies which dispatch workers to Japan and other countries for employment. It also provides capacity building programs for job seekers to prepare them for manpower placement projects in Japan. She explained in detail categories of jobs available for Filipino workers in Japan, specific requirements and recruitment and dispatching procedures. She cited the following 5 factors as the main reasons for hiring Filipino workers: “loyal”, “purpose driven”, “hardworking”, “cheerful and kind-hearted” and “flexible”.

As the second speaker, Ms. Isabel Laurel-Dimayuga, Deputy Secretary of Japanese Language Center Foundation made a presentation on the activities of her organization. The Foundation assists and supports the Philippine and Japanese Governments in the Japanese language training of Filipino candidates for nurses and caregivers under the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) since 2012. It runs 3 school branches, 2 in Makati and 1 in Manila.

Lastly, Dr. Luzviminda Jose, Sacred Heart Diagnostic Center, spoke on medical services needed by Filipino workers before deployment overseas. She introduced specific medical services and facilities available at her medical center located in Makati City.

After the first part, the Forum proceeded to one-to-one meetings between Japanese business persons and potential Filipino partners. The industries for business matching session ranged over several sectors, specifically care giving, agriculture, food stuffs, construction, IT and other areas. Against the background of the expected coming into force this April of the revised Japanese Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act which will provide for the introduction of up to 340,000 foreign workers over the next 5 years, there was a remarkably strong interest in exploring possibilities of dispatching and accepting workers. Asked about the significance of the business matching forum, Mr. Noel C. Litan, President of Profile Overseas Manpower Services Inc. in Makati City, replied: “At this stage, I am not sure if it will lead to successful business transactions, but I can say that the meeting has served as a useful opportunity for us to develop new business partners”.

To conclude the Tokyo meeting, Atty Aniceto G. Saludo, Chairman of PHILJEC, made closing remarks. He said: “Currently there are a number of government-to-government business talks going on between the Philippines and Japan. But they don’t necessarily cater for the needs of small enterprises. The increasing number of business persons from SME who are eager to join this event attests that we are offering a very important forum for initiating first contact”.

Photo and writeup courtesy of The Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement- International OISCA website

JPECC and PHILJEC Hold 37th Joint Meeting Focused on Strategic Partnership

April 2, 2019by Philip Sanvictores in JPECC, PHILJEC

The Philippines-Japan Economic Cooperation Committee, Inc. (PHILJEC) met with its Japanese counterpart, Japan-Philippines Economic Cooperation Committee (JPECC) for their 37^th Joint Meeting held last March 13, 2019 at the prestigious Tokyo Kaikan. This year’s joint meeting highlighted the two nations’ strategic economic partnership in key industries specifically, tourism, transportation, human resource, construction, and manufacturing.

Mr. Shinya Katanozaka (JPECC) and Atty. Aniceto G. Saludo, Jr. (PHILJEC) Chairmaan and Co-Chairman respectively of the 37th Joint Meeting welcomed all participants with their opening remarks. Congratulatory messages from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan and President Rodrigo R. Duterte of the Philippines were read by Ambassadors Koji Haneda and Jose C. Laurel V, respectively. The Philippines’ Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez and Transport Secretary Arthur P. Tugade were this year’s Keynote Speakers.

Two plenary sessions were held and attended by top executives from the Japanese and Filipino business communities. The first session focused on the theme “Tourism and Infrastructure Development” discussed by the following speakers:

Hon. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat – Secretary, Department of Tourism
Mr. Takashi Sasaki – Special Advisor, JTB Corp.
Mr. Isao Hosoya – Executive Officer, Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.
Atty. Michael Toledo – Managing Director, MVP Group of Companies
Mr. Roberto Jose L. Castillo – President and CEO, EEI Corporation

The second session focused on “Human Resource Development and Exchange” which featured the following speakers:

Ms. Doris Magsaysay-Ho – President & CEO, Magsaysay Group of Companies
Mr. Shuichiro Yoshida – Assistant General Manager, Marine Safety Division, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
Mr. Kentaro Ozawa – Executive Director of International Business, Human Holdings Co., Ltd.
Atty. Villamor Ventura S. Plan – Deputy Administrator Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA)

The PHILJEC Delegation consisted of 74 delegates, one of the largest ever assembled for a Joint Meeting held in Tokyo. The night before the Joint Meeting, the visiting Filipinos were invited to a Welcome Dinner for the Philippines-Japan Society at the Imperial Hotel hosted by the Philippine Society of Japan led by Mr. Mamoru Sekiyama, Chairman and Ambassador Makoto Katsura, President. On the other hand, JPECC hosted sumptuous lunch and dinner at the Tokyo Kaikan during the Joint Meeting.

========

Resources:

37^th PHILJEC-JPECC Joint Meeting Program

Photo Album

Presentations of Speakers