Laurel to JCCI Mission: Trust and Respect (Feb 5, 2015)

Former PHILJEC Chairman Francis Laurel advised a high-level Japanese Business Mission to pursue “trust and respect” when doing business in the Philippines.  Speaking before the Philippines-Japan Economic Dialogue held on February 5, 2015 at the Shangri La Makati, Laurel – who is also the President of the Philippines-Japan Society – lauded the timing of the JCCI Mission as the country consistently posts high economic growth rates.  He however stated that for Japanese companies to grow and bear fruit, they should be ready to understand their local partners and stakeholders both through good times and bad.  Citing his nearly 40-year joint venture with YKK Corporation, he said YKK Philippines is now considered an exemplar of Filipino-Japanese partnerships as envisioned by the company founder – his own father – the late Ambassador Jose S. Laurel III.  He noted that the Philippines is a true friend of Japan which can offer bountiful human resources to underpin Japanese businesses in the Philippines, Japan and elsewhere.

Laurel was one of eight presentors who discussed various topics before 200 Japanese and Filipino businessmen who attended the Dialogue, as follows:

 

Opening addresses were delivered by Dr. Akio Mimura, Chairman – Japan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JCCI) – who led the Mission, Mr. Alfredo Yao, President – Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PCCI), Mr. Emigdio de Silva Jose, President – Philippines-Japan Economic Cooperation Committee (PHILJEC).  The 100-man JCCI Mission of February 2015 is regarded as the largest delegation of major Japanese business groups to visit the country in years.  Earlier in the day, Dr. Mimura and the JCCI Mission called on President Benigno S. Aquino III in Malacañang.

PHILJEC co-hosted the luncheon that preceded the Dialogue, which was attended by 50 PHILJEC officers and members.


PHILJEC Co-Hosts JCCI Mission (Jan 31, 2015)

The Japan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JCCI) is dispatching a high-level economic mission to the Philippines on February 4 to 7, 2015.  It is described as the largest contingent of Japanese businessmen to the Philippines in recent years.  The Mission is headed by Mr. Akio Mimura, Chairman of JCCI.  Its schedule is being coordinate by the Japan Chamber of Commerce & Industry of the Philippines (JCCIPI), the Philippines-Japan Economic Cooperation Committee (PHILJEC), the Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PCCI) and the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI).

On February 5, the Mission is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on President Benigno S. Aquino III at the Malacañang Palace.  Thereafter, the group will proceed to the Shangri-La Makati for a luncheon jointly hosted by PCCI and PHILJEC.  In the afternoon, a two-part Dialogue with the Mission will be held where several topics will be discussed:

Part 1 – Dialogue between JCCI and PCCI-PHILJEC on:

  • Development of Infrastructure for the Improvement of the issue of Transportation
  • Cooperation between Japanese and Philippine Companies

 
Part 2 – Dialogue between JCCI and the Philippine Government on:

  • Investment Climate in the Philippines (Sec. Gregory Domingo – DTI)
  • Fiscal Reform of the Philippines (Sec. Cesar Purisima – DoF)
  • Financial Policy of the Philippines (Governor Amando Tetangco, Jr.– BSP)
  • Investment Opportunities in the Eco Zones (Director-General Lilia De Lima – PEZA)

On February 6, the Mission will tour several industrial estates in Laguna.


PHILJEC Members Attend Nikkei Asian Review Forum (Jan 30, 2015)

Several PHILJEC members attended the recently concluded NIKKEI ASIAN REVIEW FORUM IN MANILA held at the Manila Peninsula on 30 January 2015.  Seen at the Forum were PHILJEC Advisor, former Prime Minister Cesar E.A. Virata, former PHILJEC Chairman Atty. Eusebio V. Tan and PHILJEC Trustees JJ Soriano and Philip Sanvictores.

The keynote speech was delivered by Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima who revealed the major components of the “Cebu Action Plan” for regional financial integration which will be presented at the APEC financial ministers meeting in September.  He said he had discussed this earlier in Hong Kong and more recently in Davos, Switzerland.  http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Economy/Philippines-to-accelerate-goods-trade

The theme of the Forum was “Countdown to the ASEAN Economic Community: How the Philippines and the Region will Fare:  Opening speeches were delivered by Mr. Naotoshi Okada, Executive Vice-President  of Nikkei, Inc., Mr.  Alfredo Yao, President of PCCI and Mr. Ken Koyanagi, Publisher, Nikkei Asian Review.  After the keynote speech by Sec. Purisima, a panel discussion was held with the following panelists:  Mr. Jayant Menon, Lead Economist, ADB, Mr. Nestor V. Tan, President and CEO of BDO UniBank and Mr. Keisuke Nishimura, Managing Director, Kirin Holdings.  The discussions were moderated by Ms. Gwen Robinson, Senior Asia Editor, Nikkei Asia Review.

Articles Featured in Nikkei Asian Review

Hurdles remain to ASEAN trade integration (website)
Obstacles remain to ASEAN trade integration (magazine)

nikkei asian forum

nikkei asian forum1

nikkei asian forum2


PHILFEJA holds 2015 Shinnen Kai (Jan 24, 2015)

PHILFEJA held on January 24, 2015 its annual New Year Party (Shinnen Kai 新年会) at the Philippines-Japan Friendship Hall (3rd Floor Dominion Building, A. Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City).  More than 50 guests were in attendance, led by the Deputy Chief of Mission of Japan to the Philippines, Min. Mitsuru Amano, Ambassador Benjamin F. Sanvictores – PHILFEJA Advisor, Mr. Francis C. Laurel – President of the Philippines-Japan Society, Director Tatsuo Kitagawa – Japan Information & Cultural Center (JICC) and Director Shuji Takatori – Japan Foundation Manila.  Also present was Mr. Seiki Furudate, First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Manila.

The 2015 Shinnen Kai was made even more memorable by the attendance of high-ranking representatives from member associations comprising the ASEAN Council of Japan Alumni (ASCOJA) as well as officials of the Asia Japan Alumni (ASJA) International of Japan who met earlier in the day for a Special ASCOJA-ASJA Consultative Meeting at the AIM Conference Center. The special meeting tackled issues pertaining to the forthcoming 21st ASCOJA Conference which will be held on October 2-4, 2015 at the Dusit Thani Manila. PHILFEJA is hosting and organizing this major event.

Representatives from the five chapter associations of PHILFEJA were likewise present, led by Mr. Philip B. Sanvictores – President, PHILFEJA; President – SAPILNIP.  As PHILFEJA President, Mr. Sanvictores concurrently serves as the Chairman of ASCOJA.  PHILAJAMES, PHILCULTAROS, APPAJU and JAAP were all represented at the affair.

PHILFEJA President Sanvictores welcomed all the guests at the start of the party.  In his opening remarks, he enjoined everyone to support the 21st ASCOJA Conference which, his predecessor, the late PHILFEJA President/ASCOJA Chairman Benjie Laurel had looked forward to hosting.  He also said that as ASCOJA Chairman, Mr. Laurel had pushed for a new Vision-Mission for ASCOJA, which he was happy to announce, was drafted during the just concluded special ASCOJA meeting.

Over the dinner buffet, a medley of songs was rendered by a trio of UP College of Music students.  They sang and played Filipino love songs and ballads.  A special “Koto” performance was rendered by Mr. Yu Miyoshi, a Manila-based business executive who plays this special traditional Japanese stringed instrument as his art and hobby.  Later, he was joined by Mr. Gazan Watanabe – master Shakuhaku 尺八artist – who is Mr. Miyoshi’s personal friend and fellow-artist and who had just arrived from Tokyo for several performances in Manila.

The high point of the evening’s entertainment was the impromptu and awe-inspiring rendition by the UP tenor of the popular Pilipino love song “Ikaw” seamlessly accompanied by Mr. Miyoshi on the Koto and Watanabe-san on the Shakuhaku.

Min. Amano was then asked to address PHILFEJA in the New Year 2015 and he pledged the full support of the Embassy of Japan, especially for the 21st ASCOJA Conference.  This was echoed by Mr. Francis C. Laurel who committed to PHILFEJA the full support and assistance of the Philippines-Japan Society and all its affiliate organizations, to the rousing applause of the audience.


PHILFEJA consists of five (5) chapter associations: the Philippine Association of Japan Ministry of Education Scholars (PHILAJAMES), Philippine Cultural & Technical Association of Returned Overseas Scholars (PHILCULTAROS), Association of Philippine Private Alumni of Japanese Universities (APPAJU), JICA Alumni Association of the Philippines (JAAP), and the Samahan ng Mga Pilipinong Nag-Aral at Nanirahan sa Nippon (SAPILNIP).  It was first established in 1975.


ASCOJA-ASJA Consultative Meeting in Manila Opens (Jan 21, 2015)

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The Board of Governors of the ASEAN Council of Japan Alumni (ASCOJA) and officers of ASJA International meets at the AIM Conference Center in Makati City on 24 January 2015 for consultations on ongoing preparations for the 21st ASCOJA Conference to be held in Manila from October 2 to 4, 2015 and the recent proposal for the development of an ASCOJA online communication platform which has been forwarded by ASJA.

Twelve delegates from 8 ASCOJA chapter associations and ASJA Japan are attending, specifically:

Brunei Association of Japan Alumni (BAJA)

Dr. Fadil Galawat
Ms. Noraini HJ Shawal

PERSADA Indonesia

Dr. Dempsy Robby Kambey

Japan Alumni Organization of Laos (JAOL)

Mrs. Bouasone Vongthavone

Japan Graduates Association of Malaysia

Dr. Ooi Chee Keong
Dr. Goh Nge Seung

Myanmar Association of Japan Alumni

Dr. Myo Khin

Old Japan Students Association of the Kingdom of Thailand (OJSAT)

Dr. Samran Choodunagngern
Dr. Surawut Chuangchote

Japan Alumni of Vietnam (JAV)

Dr. Phan Trung Nghia

Asia Japan Alumni (ASJA) International

Sec. Gen. Jiro Sato
Ms. Chikako Hagihara

The Philippine Federation of Japan Alumni (PHILFEJA), the host organization, will deploy a 10-man delegation led by its President, Mr. Philip B. Sanvictores.  Other members of the PHILFEJA group are the members of the PHILFEJA Board: Prof. Gilda Uy, Mr. Domingo Go, Mr. Dan Rayo, Mrs. Eva Lawas; Mrs. Marilen Laurel-Loinaz and Mrs. Glenda T. Ferma, Project Manager and Deputy Project Manager respectively of the 2015 ASCOJA Working Team; PHILFEJA resource persons – Dr. Sylvano Dong-E Mahiwo, Dr. Amy Fajardo; and Ms. Cecile Tolentino (Sec. Gen.)

The Japan University Graduates Association of Singapore (JUGAS) and the Japan Alumni of Cambodia (JAC) are unable to attend due to unavoidable circumstances.  They however have been furnished meeting materials for information and reference distributed to all ASCOJA chapters prior to the meetings.

The Secretariat for this meeting is headed by Prof. Bernadette “Jen” Hieida.

The General Agenda of this special meeting follows:

January 23, 2015 (Friday)

18:00     : Assembly at AIMCC Lobby

19:00     : Welcome Dinner : Casa Armas, Greenbelt 2, Ayala Center


January 24, 2015 (Saturday) – Metro Pacific Room (3rd Floor, AIMCC)

9:00        : Call to Order / Recognition of Attendees

9:15        : ASCOJA Vision-Mission

  • Basic framework
  • Discussion on Vision-Mission Statements
  • Schedule

10:30     :Coffee break

10:45     :Continuation of Discussions re Vision-Mission

11:00     :21st ASCOJA Conference Manila

  • Theme / Date / Venue
  • Program Format
    • Keynote Speakers
    • Breakout Session Facilitators
  • General Schedule

12:00     :Lunch (Ramcar Room. AIMCC)

13:30     :ASJA Proposal to Develop an ASCOJA Online Communication Platform

  • ASCOJA Online Communications Platform
  • FY 2015 ASJA Budget Proposal

15:30     :Coffee break

15:45     :Continue Discussions / Other Matters

17:30     :Adjournment

18:30     :Attend the PHILFEJA Shin Nen Kai 新年会


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