JAPAN’s Koshidaka Holdings Co., Ltd. is exploring entering the Philippines with entertainment centers and hot spring facilities, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.
“This is a very big entertainment and leisure company in Japan that wants to do business here in the Philippines,” Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque said in a briefing on Tuesday.
“I have told them that I will introduce them to the presidents of the malls and also other areas where they can really expand, not just in Metro Manila but nationwide,” she added.
Koshidaka is among the 13 Japanese companies and business federations the DTI met with in Japan last week.
The meeting with Koshidaka yielded a P2.5-billion investment pledge.
“The company plans to open its first store in Metro Manila by the end of 2025, with plans to expand to 30 locations and eventually to 100,” the DTI said.
Koshidaka has 671 stores in Japan. It controls the Karaoke Manekineko, One Kara, and Maneki no Yu brands.
“They are also very much interested in really growing their other businesses. Aside from entertainment, they also want to open a gym that’s focused on women and Japanese onsen (hot springs baths),” Ms. Roque said.
“They are coming to explore locations where they can open,” she added.
Ms. Roque said that it will introduce Koshidaka to business officials where the Japanese company can expand.
“Our 115 million population is of interest to them as well as our love for karaoke,” she added.
During the Japan trip, Ms. Roque obtained P23.5 billion in investment pledges from Koshidaka, the Sumitomo group, Nidec, and Fujifilm.
Ms. Roque said that she also met with six companies during her US trip last week, including Starlink, which is currently working with local partners to expand in the Philippines.
“They’re still in talks now, and definitely it is for connectivity and what else we can generate from Starlink. But connectivity is really actually number one,” she said.
“I am not sure if they will really announce it in the first quarter, but they are aggressive. They are in serious talks,” she added.
Converge Information and Communications Technology Solutions, Inc. was identified as among Starlink’s five local partners.
“Due to the surging demand for additional capacity in the Philippines, Starlink Philippines intends to construct and operate satellite earth stations or ground stations (gateways) to address the demand,” the DTI said.
Starlink Philippines has initiated the process of obtaining a Congressional franchise, but bills are still pending.
Senate Resolution No. 3 and House Resolution No. 298 have been issued urging the National Telecommunications Commission to issue provisional authority to Starlink to allow the construction and operation of earth stations, the DTI said.
However, a notice of deficiency was issued to Starlink on Feb. 6, listing the required technical submissions before a temporary license can be issued.
“Starlink Philippines has yet to submit the required documents. The NTC met with Starlink Philippines on March 10 to discuss the required technical submissions,” the DTI said.
According to the DTI, Starlink is planning to put up earth stations in 14 locations.
Aside from Starlink, Ms. Roque also met with Birns & Sawyer, Boeing, Oliver Tolentino Atelier, Seafood City, Prime Videos, and Relativity Media. — Justine Irish D. Tabile