{"id":8801,"date":"2026-09-30T10:47:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T02:47:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/business\/?p=8801"},"modified":"2026-09-30T13:34:50","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T05:34:50","slug":"business-talk-with-takashi-baba-chief-representative-of-japan-international-cooperation-agency-jica-philippines-office","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/business\/business-talk-with-takashi-baba-chief-representative-of-japan-international-cooperation-agency-jica-philippines-office\/","title":{"rendered":"Business Talk with Takashi Baba, Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) – Philippines Office"},"content":{"rendered":"

70 Years of Trust Between Japan and the Philippines: JICA\u2019s Commitment to Building the Next Era Together<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Mr. Takashi Baba<\/strong>
\nChief Representative
\nJapan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) – Philippines Office<\/p>\n

In 2026, Japan and the Philippines mark the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations. Having overcome the complexities of their postwar history and built a strong relationship of trust, how can the two countries carry this partnership into the next era?<\/p>\n

Mr. Takashi Baba, Chief Representative of the JICA Philippines Office, returned to the Philippines after approximately 17 years, having previously served in the country from 2006 to 2008. In this interview, he shares his observations on the changes he has witnessed in the Philippines, JICA\u2019s role in the country, and its future initiatives.<\/p>\n

Returning to the Philippines After 17 Years<\/span><\/h2>\n

Philippine Primer
\n<\/strong>What were your impressions of the Philippines upon returning after approximately 17 years?<\/p>\n

Mr. Baba:
\n<\/strong>I was previously stationed in the Philippines for two years, beginning in 2006. What surprised me most upon my return was the remarkable urban development, particularly in areas such as Bonifacio Global City (BGC).<\/p>\n

Back then, BGC was largely covered in grassland. Places like the present-day High Street did not exist, nor was there a Skyway. Traveling from the airport to Makati meant taking EDSA, which could take a considerable amount of time. Today, however, the journey can take as little as 15 minutes under favorable traffic conditions.<\/p>\n

The number of Japanese restaurants and stores selling Japanese household and lifestyle products has also increased significantly. Seeing the changes in the cityscape and transportation infrastructure has made me truly appreciate the extent of the Philippines’ economic growth.<\/p>\n

At the same time, the friendliness and warmth of the Filipino people have remained unchanged. Some of the office staff and government officials I worked with during my previous assignment are still actively involved in their respective fields, and we were delighted to reunite. These enduring personal connections are one of the Philippines’ greatest charms.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, some longstanding challenges remain, including road congestion, urban flooding caused by heavy rainfall, and the significant development gap between Metro Manila and the provinces.<\/p>\n

I believe one of JICA’s roles is to carefully assess these changes and challenges on the ground and determine what kind of cooperation is needed.<\/p>\n

JICA\u2019s Role in Supporting Philippine Development<\/span><\/h2>\n

Philippine Primer
\n<\/strong>What kind of work does JICA undertake in the Philippines?<\/p>\n

Mr. Baba
\n<\/strong>JICA’s work is broadly centered on three pillars.<\/p>\n

The first is infrastructure development, including railways, roads, and ports, which provide the foundation for economic growth.<\/p>\n

The second encompasses human security, which aims to create a society where no one is left behind through initiatives in areas such as education and disaster risk reduction, as well as efforts to promote a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), particularly in the field of maritime security.<\/p>\n

In the Philippines, these two areas are complemented by a third pillar: peace and development in Mindanao.<\/p>\n

Even within Metro Manila alone, JICA has been involved in developing many infrastructure facilities that people use in their daily lives, including MRT Line 3, LRT Lines 1 and 2, and Terminal 2 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport.<\/p>\n

Construction of the Metro Manila Subway and the North\u2013South Commuter Railway is also underway. Once completed, these projects are expected to bring significant changes to transportation throughout the metropolitan area.<\/p>\n

Nationwide, JICA has supported the development of more than 3,000 kilometers of national roads, over 100 bridges, and more than 200 healthcare facilities, including hospitals.<\/p>\n

In agriculture, we have been working on irrigation facilities, the development of rice varieties, and improving farmers’ productivity.<\/p>\n

In the healthcare sector, we support infectious disease prevention and control, the development of public hospitals, and collaboration between Japanese universities and Philippine medical institutions.<\/p>\n

One of JICA’s distinguishing characteristics is its ability to combine various assistance schemes, including Japanese ODA loans, private-sector investment finance, technical cooperation, grant aid, and the dispatch of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers.<\/p>\n

This allows us to provide long-term, comprehensive cooperation that goes beyond constructing facilities to include developing the human resources and institutional systems needed to operate them.<\/p>\n

The Philippines is the only country where each of these assistance schemes is implemented at a scale that places it among the top five recipient countries worldwide. It is therefore one of JICA’s largest partner countries in terms of development cooperation.<\/p>\n

However, the impact of our assistance is not always immediately visible.<\/p>\n

For example, flood control measures demonstrate their effectiveness by preventing damage before it occurs. An assessment conducted on the Pasig\u2013Marikina River flood control project indicated that the project was able to prevent approximately 90% of the human and economic damage that would otherwise have occurred.<\/p>\n

Supporting people’s everyday lives in ways that may not always be visible is also an important part of JICA’s role.<\/p>\n

70 Years of Diplomatic Relations Built on Trust<\/span><\/h2>\n

Philippine Primer
\n<\/strong>How do you view the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Philippines?<\/p>\n

Mr. Baba
\n<\/strong>In 1953, President Elpidio Quirino announced a pardon for Japanese war criminals, and diplomatic relations between Japan and the Philippines were normalized in 1956.<\/p>\n

At that time, both the Japanese people who visited the Philippines and the Filipinos who welcomed them must have experienced feelings far more complex than we can imagine today.<\/p>\n

Despite that history, the Philippines has become one of the most Japan-friendly countries in the world.<\/p>\n

This trust was not built through Official Development Assistance (ODA) alone. It is the result of the accumulated efforts of countless individuals who have connected our two countries over many years through economic relations, diplomacy, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people interactions.<\/p>\n

In recent years, the number of Filipinos visiting Japan and experiencing Japanese culture and services has also increased significantly.<\/p>\n

Beyond the relationship between our two countries at the national level, connections between individuals and between businesses continue to expand.<\/p>\n

Japan’s support for the peace process in Mindanao is another initiative that symbolizes the trust between our two countries.<\/p>\n

For more than 30 years, Japan has maintained dialogue with both sides of the conflict rather than aligning itself exclusively with one side.<\/p>\n

Even during periods when the security situation deteriorated and other countries withdrew their personnel from the area, Japan continued its assistance.<\/p>\n

These sustained efforts have fostered a sense of trust, reflected in the sentiment that “Japan stayed with us until the very end.”<\/p>\n

JICA’s vision is “Leading the World with Trust.”<\/p>\n

The 70th anniversary is not simply an occasion to look back on the past. It is also a milestone for passing the trust built over the years on to the next generation.<\/p>\n

I believe the most important thing is to further deepen and strengthen the relationship between Japan and the Philippines over the next 10 years and, ultimately, the next 70 years.<\/p>\n

Looking Ahead: Inclusive Growth, Peacebuilding, and Stronger Partnerships<\/span><\/h2>\n

Philippine Primer
\n<\/strong>What areas will JICA focus on in its future activities?<\/p>\n

Mr. Baba
\n<\/strong>In 2026, the Philippines reached upper-middle-income country status under the World Bank’s classification. As someone who has been involved in the country’s development for many years, I find this a particularly meaningful milestone.<\/p>\n

However, this classification is based on the country’s average income level. Significant disparities remain between Metro Manila and the provinces, and many challenges persist in areas such as education, healthcare, and nutrition.<\/p>\n

We need to extend the benefits of economic growth to the provinces and ensure that development leaves no one behind. Mindanao is an area that I am particularly focused on.<\/p>\n

JICA has been supporting the peace process while also working to strengthen the administrative capacity of the autonomous government, provide vocational training for former combatants, and develop schools, roads, and water supply systems.<\/p>\n

The parliamentary elections of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Government, scheduled for September 14, will represent a significant step toward self-governance through representatives elected by the local population.<\/p>\n

Moving forward, in addition to consolidating peace, it will be important to promote regional development through industrial growth, investment attraction, and job creation.<\/p>\n

Another area where I would like to further strengthen our efforts is collaboration with private companies.<\/p>\n

We have received many requests from the Philippine government to utilize Japanese technology and expertise in various fields, including measures to address population aging, the maintenance and management of infrastructure facilities, and disaster risk reduction.<\/p>\n

In addition to introducing Japanese companies, JICA will support improvements to infrastructure and institutional systems that may otherwise present obstacles to business activities.<\/p>\n

There are limits to what JICA can accomplish on its own.<\/p>\n

I would like JICA to serve as an “orchestrator,” connecting the Philippine side with various Japanese stakeholders, including businesses, universities, local governments, and NGOs, to advance cooperation through an all-Japan approach.<\/p>\n

The challenges and observations that Japanese companies operating in the Philippines encounter on the ground are also valuable sources of information that can lead to new forms of cooperation.<\/p>\n

If you are experiencing difficulties related to coordination with the government, infrastructure, institutional systems, or other matters, I sincerely encourage you to reach out to JICA and make use of the support we can provide.<\/p>\n

I believe JICA’s role moving forward is to turn these voices into new opportunities for cooperation while continuing to strengthen the relationship between Japan and the Philippines.<\/p>\n

\n

About Mr. Takashi BABA<\/span><\/h2>\n

Mr. Takashi Baba graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo and completed his graduate studies at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Policy in the United States.<\/p>\n

He joined the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF), now part of JICA, in 1997.<\/p>\n

From 2006 to 2008, he served at the Philippines Office of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), where he was involved in initiatives including peacebuilding projects in Mindanao.<\/p>\n

He subsequently worked on Japanese ODA loans, private-sector partnerships, and private-sector investment finance for various Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam, as well as India.<\/p>\n

In March 2025, he assumed the position of Chief Representative of the JICA Philippines Office.<\/p>\n

Personal Motto<\/span><\/h2>\n

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”<\/p>\n

Nothing begins unless one takes action. Mr. Baba places great importance on maintaining a positive and proactive attitude.<\/p>\n

In international cooperation, particularly, progress cannot be achieved simply by waiting for things to happen. It is essential to take the initiative, actively communicate one’s ideas, and put them into action.<\/p>\n

He also believes that meaningful progress can only begin through cooperation with various partners, rather than through JICA’s efforts alone.<\/p>\n

To know more about the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) – Philippines Office, visit www.jica.go.jp\/english\/overseas\/philippine\/office\/index.html<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In this interview, Mr. Takashi Baba shares his observations on the changes he has witnessed in the Philippines, JICA\u2019s role in the country, and its future initiatives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":8803,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[201],"tags":[1766,1765,1767,1768],"class_list":["post-8801","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business-talk","tag-japan-international-coorperation-agency-jica","tag-jica","tag-mr-takashi-baba","tag-takashi-baba"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8801","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8801"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8801\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8812,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8801\/revisions\/8812"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8803"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8801"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8801"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8801"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}