AEON Mall Narita

JAPAN’S largest retailer has expressed interest in diversifying its import portfolio to include a wider range of food and non-food products from the Philippines.

In a statement yesterday, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said she discussed with executives from AEON Retail Co. Ltd., the expansion of Philippine product sourcing and potential investments in the Philippine market during her visit to Tokyo on September 12.

Roque said AEON is particularly keen on sourcing “Tatak Pinoy” and One town, one product-compliant products to feature in their retail stores.

AEON is engaged in trade relationships with Philippine suppliers, primarily importing bananas and pineapples.

AEON seeks to expand its sourcing to include other food products, such as coconuts and its by-products, avocados, chocolates, and pili nuts.

Roque said the Department of Trade and Industry will facilitate AEON’s sourcing activities and ensuring that Philippine products meet the high-quality import standards of Japan.

Both parties also discussed potential collaboration in trade shows and exhibitions, further strengthening the trade ties between the two nations.

On the same day, Roque met with Yoshihisa Kainuma, chairman and CEO of Minebea Mitsumi, who reaffirmed the company’s commitment to further investments in the semiconductor sector following the recent approval for a Global South Subsidy from the Japanese government for their semiconductor facility expansion in Cebu.

Minebea MItsumi is also establishing a Global Support Center in the Philippines to train Filipino workers, aligned with the goal of the Philippine government to train 128,000 semiconductor human resources by 2028.

Roque made a followup meeting with officials of Marubeni Corp. which in June expressed interest in expanding its presence in the Philippines through renewable energy and environmental protection.

Roque said the Philippines expressed its interest in acquiring battery technology from Japan, given its abundant nickel resources but no details were provided.