Lifting of military ban gets Japan firms’ nod

The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines Inc. (JCCIPI) has expressed support for Japan’s move to end the military ban on fighting overseas, stressing this was necessary to protect the country and its allies.

JCCIPI president Tetsuo Tomino said in a briefing Thursday that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s decision to lift such restrictions was necessary to “make this region more stable” in light of the territorial disputes with China.

“I support the current Japanese administration’s decision because in order for business to proceed smoothly, peace and stable conditions are needed,” Tomino explained. “I believe it is necessary for us to protect ourselves.”

Japan had decided to lift the ban on military fighting abroad to allow it to “go into battle” to defend allies.

Abe had reportedly assured that this move was meant to “protect Japanese people’s lives and peaceful existence” and was primarily a “defensive measure to defend our people.”

Although this decision has no direct influence on Japanese businesses in the Philippines, Tomino said that politics and economy were linked closely. He declined, however, to comment further, saying that political issues were “very sensitive.”

The JCCIPI has over 500 member companies, half of which are engaged in manufacturing. More Japanese companies are expected to come to the Philippines, which is being eyed to be their manufacturing hub in the Asean region given the continued robust performance of the Philippine economy.

Japan is also the country’s top market for exports, which grew 15.6 percent to $11.42 billion last year, from the $9.9 billion posted the previous year. Philippine imports from Japan, meanwhile, reached $5.2 billion last year, reflecting a 19-percent decline from the $6.5 billion registered the previous year.