Japan-Philippines Relations

On January 14, commencing at around 2 p.m. local time (around 3 p.m. Japan time), Minister MOTEGI offered flowers at Rizal Park, where a statue of Jose Rizal, a national hero who led the Philippine independence movement, is located.

On January 14, commencing at around 3 p.m. local time (around 4p.m. Japan time), Minister MOTEGI visited the Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project site, where embankment and other infrastructure are being developed by Japan’s Yen loan projects, as well as Manggahan Floodway, which was completed with Japanese support. There he received explanations regarding the progress of flood control measures.

On January 14, commencing at around 5 p.m. local time (around 6 p.m. Japan time) for approximately 70 min, Minister MOTEGI held a meeting with Hon. Ma. Cristina A. Roque, Secretary of Trade and Industry, Hon. Arsenio M. Balisacan, Secretary of Economy, Planning and Development, Mr. Giovanni Lopez, Acting Secretary of Transportation, and Mr. Emil K. Sadain, Senior Undersecretary of Public Works and Highways, and exchanged views on approaches to strengthen economic relations between Japan and the Philippines.

1. Minister MOTEGI reiterated Japan's commitment to the sustainable economic development of the Philippines, which aims to become an upper middle-income status. 　
2. Minister MOTEGI stated that the Philippines is an important partner for Japan in both trade and investment, and that Japan has high expectations for the potential of Philippines’ market. The Ministers discussed further improvement in the transparency and predictability of the investment environment in the Philippines. 　
3. Minister MOTEGI, mentioning his visit to the Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project site on the same day, stated that he realized that Japan could share its expertise and technology. Philippine Ministers stated their gratitude for Japan's long-standing support and their hopes for future cooperation. The Ministers also discussed the future direction of economic cooperation and challenges about disaster management, the development of transport infrastructure such as the Manila Subway, agriculture, information and communications and other cooperation. 　
4. Regarding economic security, Minister MOTEGI stated that ensuring economic security is also a crucial challenge for achieving sustainable economic growth amid the increasingly uncertain international situations. He expressed his desire to strengthen cooperation from the perspective of diversifying and strengthening supply chains for critical minerals and semiconductors. Then the Ministers concurred to cooperate together and with like-minded countries in the field of economic security.