As part of our expanding business overseas, we conducted a site visit in Manila city, Philippines to prepare for the new base establishment.

Our executives and members from the relevant departments joined the visit. They inspected potential office locations, local condominiums, the surrounding areas and learned about the history and culture of Manila City.

〈Viewing potential office properties〉
They viewed an office building in Makati, the economic and commercial center of Metro Manila, as a potential location for our new office. The office space we viewed is located on the 40th floor of a high-rise building. During the visit, we checked the building’s security, facilities, and convenience. The surrounding area is home to many high-rise buildings and commercial facilities, while also offering large parks and plenty of greenery. It provides a comfortable environment where urban convenience and nature coexist.

While the property we viewed is one of several potential options, and no final decision has been made regarding the location of our new office at this time. We will continue to carefully consider factors such as location, facilities, and the business environment as we move forward with preparations for opening the office.

〈Exploring local housing and living conditions〉
To better understand the local housing market, we viewed five condominium units in Manila city. Even within the same building, each unit had different furniture and interior designs. We also found that many properties were fully furnished.

Some of the units we viewed also had multiple bathroom and shower rooms, as well as rooms for domestic helpers. 

By viewing the layouts and facilities of local condominiums firsthand, we gained a better understanding of the local lifestyle and housing needs.

〈Learned about history and culture of Manila city〉
To better understand the local history and culture, we also visited Intramuros, one of Manila’s most iconic historic districts.

Intramuros is home to many historic buildings and sites that reflect the long history of Philippines. These include “San Agustin Museum”, located next to the country’s oldest stone church, “Baluarte de San Diego” a circular stone fort built in the 16th century, and “Manila Cathedral” one of the Philippines’ most well-known Catholic churches.

While many historic buildings remain, the surrounding roads and sidewalks are well maintained. We felt that the coexistence of the historic townscape and modern urban facilities is one of the unique features of Manila city.

In addition, around Little Tokyo in Makati, where we stayed, there are many Japanese restaurants. This also gave us a better understanding of the convenience of living in Manila for Japanese residents.

During our visit, many local people smiled back when we made eye contact with them. This gave us a chance to experience the friendliness and warmth of the local  people.

〈Future Plans〉
Through this visit, we gained a better understanding not only of the business and living environment, including offices and housing, but also of Manila’s history, culture, and atmosphere.

We will use what we learned from this visit as we continue preparing to open a new office in the Philippines, while considering the local business environment and market conditions. 

We will share more information once the details are finalized.

Source: フィリピン・マニラにおける新拠点開設に向け、現地視察を実施しました