Mixing Japanese values with Filipino artistry

MANILA, Philippines - As a young student in Tokyo in the 1980s, Alfred Ty has always found Japan a memorable place that is rich in culture.

He thought everyone, especially Filipinos, should be able to share in the rich cultural experience Japan has to offer.

However, at that time, Japan seemed very distant – heard of by foreigners, but rarely understood, he said.

“Japan’s closed doors have led to a lack of understanding by Filipinos toward its culture. This could be traced to limited flights, strict visa policies and language barriers,” Ty said.

But much has changed since, and Federal Land Inc., the real estate subsidiary of diversified conglomerate GT Capital Holdings, is helping Filipinos take advantage of that positive change.

The GT Capital Group, chaired by banking tycoon and Alfred’s father George S. K. Ty,  is bringing to Manila two Japanese behemoths — Nomura Real Estate Development Co. and Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings — for the development of a mixed-use project in Bonifacio Global City that will enable Filipinos to experience the unique Japanese concept in both living and retailing.

Nomura is a leading residential company established in 1957 while Isetan Mitsukoshi is a top retail service group in Japan.

“Today, Japan has opened its doors under the friendship of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Philippine President Duterte, which has thus led to its overall image as a tourist destination. Now, Japan is associated positively to global travelers, especially for those who are familiar with the Isetan Mitsukoshi experience. In turn, this will lead to further excitement for others to step into the iconic department store’s experience. Finally, this will give access to Filipinos to experience the prestige of Isetan Mitsukoshi’s department store. Thus, Federal Land is privileged to partner with both Japanese companies, believing that this partnership will not only give the Filipinos a different experience in Fort Bonifacio, but will also prove that doing business in the Philippines is a positive investment,” the younger Ty said.

The three companies will jointly finance and develop the P20-billion Sunshine Fort project, which will bring the Japanese tradition of excellence, innovation and artistry in the Philippines. The project is targeted for completion in 2025.

Ty said what makes the project unique is that its architecture and design will marry traditional Japanese values of excellence and innovation with Filipino artistry as well as shopping and living habits.

“The mall will be curated and developed jointly with Isetan Mitsukoshi. It will feature new as well as familiar Japanese brands, authentic Japanese food, a wide array of cosmetics and Japanese branded polite service,” he said.

There will be four residential towers of between 41 to 51 floors that will feature Japanese elements focused on “functionality, safety, harmony with the environment and simplicity.”

Eiji Kutsukake, chairman of Nomura, said the company wishes to take part in Philippine development activities continuously, through continuing a permanent partnership with Federal Land.

Isetan Mitsukoshi former chairman and current senior advisor Kunio Ishizuka said they will try their best to “excite and move every customer in the Philippines by helping Federal Land enhance the Filipino lifestyle through introducing Japanese style and quality.”

Isetan president Toshihiko Sugie added:  “The project is a remarkable joint venture development by Philippine and Japanese companies in Bonifacio Global City, the finest and newest international area, and it is here where one of the most dramatically growing countries in Southeast Asia, the Philippines, is located.”

The Philippines is Isetan Mitsukoshi’s fourth overseas business in Southeast Asia, and is its initial venture into joining a complex real estate development project.

Ty said even prior to the project, GT Capital has led the way in establishing partnerships that bring Japanese technology, designs and the know-how to the Philippine market.

GT Capital is the Philippine partner of Japanese auto giant Toyota Motor.

Indeed, with the Federal Land-led project, Japan isn’t too far away.