Japan-Philippines Relations
15th Meeting of the Japan–Philippines High Level Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation
On the morning of March 25, 2025, the 15th meeting of the Japan–Philippines High Level Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation was held in Manila, the Philippines. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Mori Masafumi, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister, on the Japanese side; and by Hon. Ralph Recto, Secretary of Finance and Hon. Alsenio Balisacan, Secretary of National Economic and Development Authority on the Philippine side. The overview of the meeting is as follows:
- At the outset, both sides welcomed the convening of this Joint Committee following the last meeting in August 2023, and the steady progress in bilateral (Japan-Philippines) and trilateral (Japan-Philippines-U.S.) cooperation in the fields of economy and infrastructure. Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Mori stated that through this Joint Committee, Japan intends to continue robustly supporting the Marcos administration's "Build Better More" policy, which is a priority for the administration, through ODA and public-private partnerships, with an eye towards the Philippines' promotion to the upper middle-income status.
- Both sides confirmed the steady progress in support for addressing the development challenges of the Philippines, including disaster prevention, maritime safety, and infrastructure development such as roads, as well as the Mindanao peace process, leveraging Japan’s strengths. They also agreed to promote cooperation in the fields of regional development, ICT, and energy transition.
- Furthermore, in order to strengthen collaboration with the Philippines as an equal partner beyond mere support, the two sides exchanged views on how to support the Philippines in promoting to the upper middle-income status.
- Both sides welcomed the signing of loan agreements for five ODA loan projects in the areas of infrastructure, disaster prevention, and healthcare, which were signed and exchanged on March 21.
- Both sides confirmed that they would continue to maintain close communication through this Joint Committee and among relevant ministries and agencies, and elevate the Japan-Philippines economic cooperation to an even higher level through concrete cooperative projects.
(Reference1) Japan-Philippines High Level Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation
On his visit to the Philippines in January 2017, then Prime Minister Abe Shinzo announced Japan’s commitment to ODA and private-sector investment, and to establish a High Level Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation in order to monitor the implementation of cooperation projects in public-private partnership.
(Reference2) Five ODA Loan Projects in the Areas of Infrastructure, Disaster Prevention, and Healthcare
- Climate Change Action Program Loan: Supports the improvement and planning the implementation of high-priority climate change policies;
- Build Universal Health Care Program: Supports the implementation of priority policies for achieving Universal Health Coverage;
- Davao City Bypass Construction Project (III): Supports the construction of a bypass road from the southern end to the central part of Davao City in Mindanao;
- Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project (Phase IV) (II): In Metro Manila, rehabilitation of the Pasig-Marikina River, construction of movable weirs, and implements non-structural measures against floods;
- Cavite Industrial Area Flood Risk Management Project (Phase II): In Cavite Province, supports the implementation of flood control measures such as construction and rehabilitation of diversion canals and rehabilitation of rivers;