Ambassador ENDO Kazuya Visits South Cotabato and General Santos City

On 30 to 31 July 2025, Ambassador ENDO Kazuya visited South Cotabato Province and General Santos City in the southern part of Mindanao Island.
On July 30, Ambassador Endo visited the banana, pineapple and avocado farms managed by DOLE Philippines, a subsidiary of ITOCHU Corporation. The Philippines supplies the largest share of Japan’s imported bananas and pineapples, and the agricultural products from these farms are exported to all over the world including Japan. Since last year, Japan has also lifted restrictions on importing Hass avocados from the Philippines, and avocados from this farm are now supplied to the Japanese market. Ambassador Endo also paid a courtesy call on South Cotabato Provincial Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. on July 31. They exchanged views on a wide range of areas including Japan’s support for the development of the province. He also asked Governor Tamayo to ensure the safety of Japanese residents in South Cotabato Province.
 
Ambassador Endo also visited the General Santos Fish Port Complex, which was developed by Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA), and Tenpoint Manufacturing Corporation, a Japanese company based in General Santos City. The Fish Port Complex is one of the country’s largest fish ports. Many canned food companies and processing plants, mainly focusing on tuna, are located in the city, contributing to the economy as a major production base for tuna. Ambassdor Endo observed key operations at the port, including tuna unloading, weighing, and inspection. Tenpoint Manufacturing Corporation processes yellowfin tuna unloaded at the port into frozen sashimi products at its factory equipped with the technology and hygiene standards of Japan. The company primarily exports the products to Japan, with some shipments going to the U.S. and Europe.
During the talks with Japanese companies, local fisherfolk and port personnel, Ambassador Endo expressed his hope that the continuous technological, personnel and business exchanges between Japan and the General Santos City will contribute to further economic development of the both parties.