Japanese health technology firm Tanita Corp. is considering the Philippines as the site of a new export-oriented manufacturing facility, a potential investment that could generate about P2 billion in export sales and create around 500 jobs within five years of operations.
The proposal was discussed during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s official visit to Japan, where members of the Philippine economic team led by Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. met with Tanita president and chief executive officer Senri Tanida and senior company executives.
Tanita, known globally for its precision health and wellness devices, is evaluating several ASEAN countries for its proposed “Factory No. 3,” which would complement its existing manufacturing facilities in Japan and China.
The planned plant would handle parts processing, assembly and inspection, serving as an export base for products bound for Japan, Europe, the Americas and other Asian markets.
The company’s interest comes as the Philippines seeks to attract more high-value manufacturing investments amid efforts to strengthen its role in regional supply chains.
Competition for export-oriented projects has intensified across Southeast Asia as companies diversify production bases and reduce dependence on single-country manufacturing hubs.
Roque said Tanita’s potential investment reflects growing confidence in the Philippines as a destination for advanced manufacturing and technology-driven industries.
“Tanita represents the type of forward-looking and innovation-driven investor that the Philippines is actively seeking to attract,” she said.
Government officials cited the country’s capabilities in precision manufacturing and electronics assembly, backed by a young workforce, infrastructure upgrades and incentives under the CREATE MORE Act.
If realized, the investment would bolster efforts to position the Philippines as a regional center for wellness technology and other higher-value manufacturing activities while generating new export revenues and skilled jobs.
Both sides agreed to continue discussions as Tanita advances its evaluation of potential ASEAN locations for the project.
