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TOKYO — The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), led by Director General Tereso O. Panga, successfully concluded its outbound mission to Tokyo and Saitama, Japan, from September 22-25, 2025.
PEZA’s mission underscored the Philippines’ commitment to attracting and sustaining Japanese investments through stronger government-to-business engagement, the CREATE MORE law’s new incentive offerings, and targeted investment promotion strategies.
Highlighting the mission was the PEZA-RCBC-SMBC Joint Economic Briefing for Japanese Investors, co-organized by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC). More than one hundred Japanese executives from the electronics, manufacturing, and IT-BPM sectors gathered at SMBC’s Head Office in Tokyo to hear Director General Panga present the topic “Philippine Investment Opportunities.” In a symbolic gesture of solidarity, SMBC raised the Philippine and Japanese flags, side by side at the front of their building, for the duration of PEZA’s visit; underscoring the significance of the partnership.
The program was opened by Her Excellency Mylene J. Garcia-Albano, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines. Followed by a presentation on the Global and ASEAN Macroeconomic Landscape by Mr. Yugi Ono, Economist at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. Ms. Anna Mychelle C. Cruzado, RCBC First Vice President and Segment Head for the Japanese and Ecozone Segment, delivered special remarks, while Michael L. Ricafort, RCBC Chief Economist, presented the Philippine Macroeconomic Outlook. The briefing also featured remarks from Mr. Hiroyasu Kanda, Managing Director and Country Head of SMBC Manila Branch, and was attended by PTIC-Tokyo Special Trade Representative Dita Angara-Mathay.
In line with strengthening this collaboration, DG Panga also met with SMBC’s senior executives, including Mr. Yoshihiro Hyakutome, Senior Managing Executive Officer (SMEO) and Co-Head of Global Banking Unit; Mr. Kazuya Ikeda, SMEO, Transaction Banking Division and Deputy Head of Global Business Unit; Mr. Katsufumi Uchida, MEO and Head of Asia Pacific Division; and Mr. Takeshi Kimoto, MEO and Head of Asia Business Development Division. The discussions centered on continuing and deepening the PEZA-SMBC partnership beyond Japan, particularly in other key Asian markets such as South Korea and Taiwan, where both parties see strong potential to promote Philippine investment opportunities.
Throughout the mission, PEZA held a series of high-level engagements with Japanese enterprises. Sumitomo Wiring Systems. Ltd., which employs more than 23,000 Filipinos across its three (3) Philippine locations in Bataan, Tarlac, and Pangasinan, reaffirmed the critical role of its Philippine operations in its global supply chain and expressed confidence that this role will continue to grow, especially as several concerns of registered business enterprises have been addressed by the CREATE MORE Law.
Kaga Electronics Co. Ltd., a leading manufacturer and seller of electronic components, was briefed on the new incentives now available in the Philippines and introduced PEZA to a new network of Japanese companies considered key customers of Kaga Electronics, opening further opportunities for collaboration.
MinebeaMitsumi, Inc., one of the largest manufacturing arms in Asia with over 26,000 employees and four factory locations in the Philippines, expressed optimism about its near-term expansion plans. Director General Panga presented new opportunities for growth, including PEZA’s targeted public ecozones in Palawan and Pantao, which are designed to host advanced manufacturing and logistics operations.
PEZA also engaged Earth Corporation, which currently operates a sales office in the Philippines, as it studies the feasibility of setting up manufacturing operations in a PEZA zone. Meanwhile, Kanepackage Japan, a packaging and cushioning manufacturer with more than 1,000 employees across seven sites in the Philippines, affirmed its continued expansion and highlighted its strong SDG and community outreach initiatives, including programs that have been personally attended by former First Lady of Japan, Mrs. Akie Abe.
Finally, PEZA met with KGS Philippines Corporation, a company with a 70% global market share for assistive devices for the visually impaired. KGS reaffirmed its long-term commitment to the Philippines, where it has been operating since 1995, and its plans to sustain product innovation and growth under PEZA’s enabling environment. KGS is credited with helping thousands of visually impaired Filipinos by donating their products to schools, museums, and government units.
Director General Panga expressed his gratitude to partners such as SMBC for continuously opening doors for PEZA and supporting its investment promotion efforts. He was likewise pleased to note that Japanese investors have retaken the top spot in PEZA’s board approvals until the close of the third quarter of 2025.
“Japanese locators remain among PEZA’s most valued partners, consistently contributing to our country’s export revenues, job creation, and technology transfer. It is heartening to see Japan once again emerge as the leading source of foreign direct investments in our ecozones. Through this mission, we reassured our Japanese partners of PEZA’s full commitment to providing a competitive, seamless, and sustainable investment environment — truly a ‘No Red Tape, Only Red Carpet’ experience,” he said.
This mission builds on the Marcos Administration’s goal to attract high-value, high-technology investments, particularly in electronics, automotive, green manufacturing, and IT-BPM sectors, to solidify the Philippines’ position as a premier investment destination in Asia. (®)