Four major Japanese firms have committed P56.3 billion in new investments to the Philippines following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Japan, the Department of Trade and Industry announced Friday.
The funding is projected to generate 10,300 jobs across direct and indirect employment, the agency said. Backing the projects are Furukawa Electric Co., Sumitomo Electric Co., MinebeaMitsumi Inc., and Tsuneishi Group Corporation.
Among the commitments, Sumitomo Electric plans a P4.3-billion facility in Cabuyao, Laguna, covering 4,706 square meters, with operations potentially starting in April 2027. The plant will manufacture parts for smartphones, automotive electronics, telecommunications gear, medical devices, and wearable technology. Furukawa and MinebeaMitsumi, for their part, intend to produce data center components.
Trade Secretary Cristina Roque tied the Sumitomo project to national targets, saying it advances the goal of lifting semiconductor and electronics exports to $110 billion by 2030 while deepening Philippine involvement in higher-value supply chains.
“This expansion will help create more quality employment opportunities for Filipinos while upgrading local capabilities in cutting-edge electronics manufacturing and precision industrial technologies. Sumitomo Electric’s continued partnership in supporting the Philippines’ industrial transformation and long-term export competitiveness,” Roque said.
Tsuneishi Group’s planned expansion centers on shipbuilding in Cebu, where it will construct a dry dock and additional production buildings. The company, present in the country since the early 1990s, runs one of the largest shipbuilding operations in Balamban, Cebu, sustaining over 12,000 jobs.
“Tsuneishi’s operations in Cebu have helped transform Balamban into one of the country’s leading shipbuilding and industrial hubs, creating thousands of jobs and opportunities for Filipino workers and local communities,” Roque said.
Roque framed the broader package as a marker of the country’s expanding profile in advanced industries. “The projects secured during the President’s State Visit will translate into more jobs, stronger manufacturing capabilities, and greater participation of Filipino enterprises in global value chains. This also highlights the Philippines’ growing role as a strategic hub for advanced manufacturing, AI, electronics, and industrial production in the region,” she said.
Japan remained among the leading sources of capital entering the country between January and November, alongside the United States, Singapore, and South Korea. Foreign direct investment posted net inflows of $897 million in November 2025.
