Japanese conglomerate celebrates 100th year in RP

It all began in 1909 when Japanese conglomerate Marubeni began its Manila operations and imported much needed cotton products from its head office in Japan.

This move started its existence in the Philippines and a healthy relationship between the government and the company that would continue on 100 years later.

As such, Marubeni is now celebrating its 100th year in the Philippines. The sogo shosha — Japanese trading giant — has diverse interests in various fields and specializations.

In an interview with The STAR, Hiroshi Yoshitsugu, president and chief executive officer of Marubeni Philippines Corp. said the company sees itself staying in the country for many, many years more even as it is already celebrating its 100th year in the country.

“The Philippines has been supportive politically. Filipino people are very kind and generous,” Yoshitsugu said.

Marubeni is into the power sector, trading business, industrial estate sector, construction equipment, logistics, information and data systems and various infrastructure projects.

By 1996, Marubeni’s business had expanded significantly.

In the power industry, Marubeni is one of the country’s largest independent power producers, owning approximately 17 percent of power produced in the country.

It also built the San Roque Multipurpose Project, the largest dam in Southeast Asia. Today, this dam harnesses the power of water from the Agno River.

Marubeni, together with Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), formed TeaM Energy Corp. and bought Mirant Philippines from Atlanta-based Mirant Corp.

It owns and operates the Sual Power Plant in Pangasinan and the Pagbilao Power Stations in Quezon.

On the construction side, Marubeni, through Kubota Agro-Machinery Philippines, Inc. supply the local farmers with modern agricultural machineries to enhance farm production.

Amidst all these, Marubeni continues with its traditional import and export business. Its trading commodities now include a wide range of goods such as agriculture products, graphite electrode, electronic circuit boards, nickel, activated carbon, basic chemicals, plastics, pulp and coal.

Yoshitsugu said Marubeni is excited about future projects in the Philippines.

These include participating in the expansion of some infrastructure projects in the transportation sector and further improving its general merchandise business.

It also includes participating in the expansion of airports in the country.

Despite the challenges such as the uncertain global economic environment and some humps in the political environment, Yoshitsugu is optimistic about Marubeni’s future in the country.

“We should be able to survive here,” Yoshitsugu said. He said that Filipinos speak English very well which makes them very good employees for Marubeni.

As Marubeni celebrates its 100th year in the Philippines, its also marks its 150th year around the globe.

During the cocktail reception last September 30 marking Marubeni’s 100th year in the Philippines, Marubeni Corp. president and chief executive officer Teruo Asada said Marubeni would remain committed to the Philippines.

“We will assist the Philippines in achieving sustainable development, promote technological advancement and make lasting contributions to social progress as well. As we rise up to the challenges of emerging new business trends, we will continue to striver for a deeper and stronger relationship with the Philippines more than ever before,” Asada said.

Now that’s one promise the Philippine government looks forward to.