Japan has become a new frontier for Filipinos as more and more show interest to go to “the land of the rising sun” either as tourists or workers. While Japan has the lowest unemployment rate of 2.8 percent since 1994, the country is experiencing a labor shortage because the practice of companies over the past several years has been to hire temporary or part-time workers (which make up an estimated one third of the work force).
However, such hiring practice has also contributed to weak consumer demand – which is why more industries are starting to offer more regular jobs, with the government of Japan also looking at hiring more overseas workers to offset the current labor shortage. Of the estimated one million foreign workers in Japan, about 128,000 of them are Filipinos, making them the third biggest group of foreign workers.
According to Japan’s foreign ministry officials, they are looking at liberalizing the strict rules for foreign workers since they anticipate an increased demand for workers particularly in the construction industry due to the upcoming 2020 Olympics that Tokyo is hosting. Japan’s aging population has also seen a rising demand for employees in the healthcare sector, among them nurses and caregivers.
More Filipinos have also been going to Japan as tourists, due in large part to the relaxation of visa rules in 2014 to attract more visitors. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, some 350,000 Filipinos visited Japan in 2016 – about 30 percent more than the 269,000 visitors in 2015. Of course, it goes without saying that budget airlines have also contributed to the influx of Filipino tourists, many of whom are repeat visitors and whose numbers are also growing.
A hotel near the official residence of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo is even positioning itself as the preferred accommodation for Filipino business and leisure tourists. Apparently, The Capitol Hotel Tokyu is looking at the Philippines as one of its potentially important markets, targeting Filipino business and leisure travelers who are looking at the ultimate “Japanese experience.”
Japan is the second “most trusted” country by Filipinos, according to the latest survey conducted by Pulse Asia which showed Japan getting a 75 percent trust rating – an increase of five points – with the United States topping the survey at 79 percent. The survey result is really not surprising considering the long-standing partnership between the US and the Philippines and the growing affinity between our country and Japan, which is also one of our closest “western-style” allies in Asia.
No less than President Duterte himself told Prime Minister Abe that he regards Japan as a friend closer than a brother, and this was evident in the warm reception accorded to the Japanese official during his visit to President Rody’s private residence in Davao City. The warming of relations between the two countries has been rather evident in many areas of cooperation, from defense to economics.
It can also be recalled that during President Duterte’s visit to Japan last October, the joint statement released by both countries highlighted the need to ensure maritime safety and security as vital elements in maintaining peace, stability and continued prosperity in the region – which was an obvious reference to the disturbing activities of China, which took the latter to task but without having to embarrass it either.
Last February, Philippine and Japanese officials deliberated on how defense ties could be strengthened, presumably through intelligence exchange and defense equipment transfers. Japan has promised 10 multi-role maritime vessels to enhance the Philippines’ maritime capabilities, and just last month, the third of these vessels was commissioned into service. Not many also know that the Philippines is only the fourth country that Japan has signed an agreement with for defense equipment and technology transfer.
Japan is also financing major transport infrastructure projects of the Duterte administration, among them the 25-kilometer underground subway project worth P227-billion to be financed through Japanese ODA (official development assistance). The seven biggest trading houses of Japan, collectively known as Sogo Shosha, are also looking at investing P198.5 billion in several industries such as energy and transportation to boost the country’s bid for economic development.
The fact is, Japan is playing a bigger and more active role in Asia Pacific, with analysts agreeing on its strategic importance in maintaining stability considering the “uncertainty” and “unpredictability” in the region. Prime Minister Abe has been very proactive in reaching out to countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia and of course, the Philippines – all of which have strategic importance as far as China and its maritime construction activities are concerned. And then there is North Korea with its missile tests – prompting countries like Australia and the US to call its recent actions provocative and belligerent.
Analysts agree that Japan and the US have common interests and share the same objectives as far as maintaining stability, security and the balance of power in the Asia Pacific region, and the stage is set for both countries to maintain close bilateral ties, the likes of which has never been seen before the second World War. While the United States is still our number one ally, President Duterte’s foreign policy shift towards China is admittedly a cause of concern for many – although there is expectation that relations would eventually turn for the better now under the administration of Donald Trump (who issued a spontaneous invitation for President Rody to visit the White House).
However, if the President is not too keen yet on America, it would be wise to lean more towards Japan – which, all things considering, is still our best bet in this part of the world.
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