MANILA – Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel concluded a ministerial visit to Japan from January 26 to 29, 2026, meeting with Japan’s new Agriculture Minister and the Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, and food security.

During the visit, Secretary Tiu Laurel emphasized the Philippines’ interest in lowering Japanese tariffs on fresh bananas and preparing for accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). He also requested new market access for pomelos, expedited entry for Japanese grapes, and enhanced protocols for mango, papaya, and poultry from avian flu-free regions.

The Philippines proposed expanding the existing Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) to include fisheries, a plan welcomed by Japan, which will host the second PH-Japan Joint Committee on Agriculture meeting in June 2026. Secretary Tiu Laurel expressed hope that the amended MOC will be signed this year, marking 70 years of diplomatic normalization between the two countries.

The Secretary also secured Japan’s grant aid for a Rice Processing System in NFA Cauayan City, Isabela. The facility, equipped with four 30-metric-ton grain dryers, a 10-ton-per-hour rice mill, and four 1,000-ton silos, aims to reduce postharvest losses, improve rice quality, and maintain year-round buffer stocks. The grant agreement is set for signing in February 2026 for immediate implementation.

In addition, Secretary Tiu Laurel requested JICA support for priority Philippine projects, including integrated Food Logistics Hubs, a nationwide study on basic commodity distribution, modernization of small-scale fisheries, Magat Dam rehabilitation, and expansion of the Market-Driven Vegetable Value Chain project.

Accompanied by Governors Rodolfo Albano III and Mario Eduardo Ortega, the Secretary visited Japan’s advanced logistics hubs for grains, fish, and meat—including Chita Futo, Yaizu Fish Port, and the Tokyo Wholesale Meat Market—as models for the Philippines’ food security and agri-fisheries modernization initiatives.

The visit highlights the Department of Agriculture’s commitment to deepening relations with Japan, a global leader in agri-fisheries technology and a key market for Philippine exports, with partnerships expected to strengthen trade, enhance food security, and modernize the country’s agriculture and fisheries sectors.