TOKYO – The Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Tokyo, under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), organized an event highlighting groundbreaking collaborations in the fields of creativity, technology, and innovation between the Philippines and Japan. The event, titled “Creative and Sustainable Economy Through Innovation,” took place on Dec. 17 at the Peacock Room of the Imperial Hotel.
The occasion, held on the sidelines of the Commemorative Summit of the 50th year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, was graced by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
A fashion show, exhibit, and video presentation were shown to the audience, comprised of government officials and business representatives from both nations.
In his keynote speech, Marcos Jr. emphasized the significance of the event, stating, “This event is not just a testament to the strong bonds between the Philippines and Japan, but also of our celebration of a shared commitment to friendship, to cooperation, and the pursuit of economic co-creation in the spirit of the Asia Zero Emissions Community.”
He further highlighted the role of innovation in addressing societal challenges sustainably. “Today, we find ourselves at the inflection point of innovation, creativity, and sustainability. We are at a juncture where the global community must collaborate to secure a brighter and more sustainable future.”
Marcos Jr. expressed confidence in the collaborative efforts between the two countries, noting, “We have seen many excellent examples of collaboration between our two countries and these partnerships can significantly contribute toward achieving this goal.”
He mentioned the Philippines’ commitment to increasing its presence in the global creative industries market through partnerships with like-minded countries, particularly Japan.
The President emphasized that the Philippine Creative Economy stands as a key contributor to sustainable economic development.
“In the Philippines, we are not just witnessing economic growth, we are crafting a legacy of innovation, creativity, and sustainability for generations to come,” he remarked.
The event provided opportunities for collaboration among Filipino and Japanese entities such as Auro, Mitsukoshi, Banana Cloth, Go Lifestyle Group, STYLEM, and Neun Farben across various sectors, including food, lifestyle, retail, textiles, game development, and animation.
“I am very optimistic that this collective effort towards a creative and sustainable economy will foster great opportunities and prosperity for the Philippines and for Japan,” Marcos Jr. said.
The event was supported by the Manila Fashion Festival (MFF) and the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC). - Florenda Corpuz
(Photos by Din Eugenio)
