Business Talk with Sadakatsu Hiramatsu, President of Shimizu Philippine Contractors Inc.
Shimizu Philippine Contractors Inc. has been part of the local construction industry for 36 years. President Sadakatsu Hiramatsu, who brings extensive overseas experience from 11 countries, leads the company’s diverse construction projects based on strong trust with Japanese clients. He also serves as Chairman of the Construction Committee of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines. We spoke to Mr. Hiramatsu for his insights and aspirations as he holds and continues to lead the company through a complex market.
Building the Future with an End-to-End Approach:
Shimizu Philippine Contractors Inc.’ Challenge in a Competitive Market
Shimizu Philippine Contractors Inc. President Sadakatsu Hiramatsu
Philippine Primer:
Can you tell us about the background and business ventures of Shimizu Philippines?
Mr. Hiramatsu:
Shimizu Philippines was established in 1989 and currently employs 173 highly skilled, multinational staff. We operate a wide range of construction projects for both Japanese and non-Japanese clients, adapting to market shifts. Our private construction projects operate under local PCAB (Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board) licenses, while major ODA (Official Development Assistance) projects like the Manila Subway are handled by our parent company, Shimizu Corporation, under special licenses.
Philippine Primer:
What makes Shimizu Philippines standout among other construction companies?
Mr. Hiramatsu:
Our greatest strength is our “Design & Build” scheme, offering single-window construction coordination. We don’t just construct buildings—we share our clients’ vision and offer solutions to maximize the value and quality of entire projects. As “total construction professionals,” we support clients from design, cost estimation, and scheduling, all the way to construction, handover, and maintenance. Early involvement enables more precise cost control, scheduling, and delivery of high-quality results.
Philippine Primer:
What’s unique about the Philippine construction industry?
Mr. Hiramatsu:
The local industry is dominated by Filipino general contractors, where price competition is intense. Japanese contractors maintain higher standards in quality and safety but can’t always compete on cost. Big conglomerates have their own contractors, making it hard for foreign companies to enter. Moreover, the PCAB licensing system poses structural barriers for foreign firms. The local norm of separate design and build contracts makes it hard to showcase the benefits of integrated construction, which we aim to promote.
Philippine Primer:
As Chairman of the Japanese Chamber’s Construction Committee, how are you addressing these challenges?
Mr. Hiramatsu:
We are advocating for fairer regulations for foreign contractors in the Philippines. A key issue is that 100% foreign-owned firms still cannot obtain PCAB licenses. Although the Supreme Court has ruled such restrictions unconstitutional, foreign firms are still treated differently in practice. We are working with the Japanese Embassy to push for equal bidding opportunities and fairer operating conditions. Some improvements are being discussed, but more change is needed to create a transparent and open market.
Philippine Primer:
What role do you think the construction industry plays in the Philippines?
Mr. Hiramatsu:
The Philippine economy remains one of the fastest growing in ASEAN, and infrastructure development will fuel urban growth, especially around transit hubs. We’re looking to expand into interiors, offices, hotels, malls, and food and beverage facilities. Still, the benefits of growth aren’t reaching everyone. Barriers to entry and outdated systems persist. That’s why we’re exploring BIM (Building Information Modeling) and partnerships with local companies to improve quality and project management. Our key principle is to always offer the best solution from the client’s perspective, even for small-scale projects. Trust, earned through sincerity and results, will lead to greater achievements.
The Philippines is full of potential—but also faces structural challenges like opaque systems and economic inequality. At Shimizu Philippines, we face these realities head-on, adapting flexibly while upholding quality and trust. We aim to be a reliable partner for all clients. No matter the scale of your inquiry, feel free to reach out—we’re here to support your growth in the Philippines.
About Mr. Hiramatsu:
After graduating from university in 1992, he joined Shimizu Corporation and began his career in Yokohama. From 1996 onward, he worked across 10 countries including Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Dubai, India, Mexico, Singapore, Thailand, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. Since 2021, he has led Shimizu Philippine Contractors Inc., bringing hands-on leadership and global insight to every project. He likes golf and cooking, especially during long overseas postings!
Get to know more about Shimizu Corporation here: shimz-global.com/ph/en/
