The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) called for a strengthened innovative economic partnership with Japan during the Creative and Sustainable Economy Through Innovation event held at the Imperial Hotel Tokyo on Dec. 17, 2023.
Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual underscored the significant contribution of the Philippine creative industry in fostering robust and inclusive economic growth, aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Our strategic collaboration with Japan aims to foster dynamic and innovative economies for both countries. These groundbreaking collaborations showcase the boundless potential of our creative industries in propelling inclusive growth and our collective pursuit of sustainable development,” Pascual said at the sidelines of the ASEAN-Japan 50th Year Commemorative Summit in Tokyo.
The DTI, through the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) Tokyo, highlighted the collaborative efforts between the Philippines and Japan in advancing a sustainable economy rooted in innovation.
Pascual lauded the four pioneering Philippine-Japan projects, including collaboration on game development, food, textiles and fashion design.
The DTI also recognized the collaboration of Neun Farben and Tsuburaya Productions, showcasing breakthrough technology in recreating Japanese characters as three-dimensional (3D) models.
Neun Farben is a subsidiary of Japan’s FLAME Ltd. and the X PLUS Group known for three-dimensional (3D) computer graphics and video production, ranging from realistic designs to stylized anime creations.
Pascual cited the significant partnership between Auro Chocolate, a premiere Filipino tree-to-bar chocolate brand and Ikeda Senchado, a Japanese heritage brand of 10th-grade tea master Kenta Ikeda. The partnership embarked on Matcha, Hojicha and Philippine cacao blended flavors, earning gold acclaim in the International Chocolate Awards 2023 World Finals.
He commended Japan’s eco-friendly Banana Cloth initiatives, boosting the Philippines as a producer and exporter of bananas, transforming peel into fabric for contemporary clothing, and the Manila Fashion Festival, a joint venture between the Go Lifestyle Group and STYLEM Takisada-Osaka Co., Ltd.
The festival featured traditional Filipino designs made with the innovative fusion of the country’s indigenous fibers and high-quality Japanese fabrics.
“Through innovative partnerships and collaborative efforts showcased in this event, we have affirmed the Philippines’ commitment to fostering inclusive growth and sustainability. Beyond upholding the UN SDGs, let’s work together to empower the creative industries as we usher in a vibrant and creative economy for all,” Pascual said.