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East Japan Railway Company (JR East), Japan’s leading railway operator, is interested in running the operations and maintenance of the country’s railway systems, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
On Tuesday, March 4, DTI Secretary Cristina Roque met with executives of JR East to discuss a potential partnership to boost expansion and modernization of railway infrastructure in the Philippines.
“We welcome JR East’s interest in the operation and maintenance of the Philippines’ railway systems. With its proven expertise and track record in delivering world-class transport solutions, JR East is in a prime position to drive efficiency, reliability, and long-term sustainability in our rail sector,” said Roque.
According to the DTI, JR East is also open to supporting the Marcos administration’s goal of fast-tracking key railway projects.
“We commit to fully explore this potential with JR East and become a key player in shaping the future of our transportation network,” Roque added.
Once realized, she expects this partnership to serve as a major step in realizing a modernized railway network that fosters economic growth and enhanced connectivity for Filipinos.
JR East presented in the meeting its insights from their successful railway project in Bangkok, Thailand.
The company noted that this project established how a comfortable and reliable train system can encourage commuters to opt out of private vehicles, further reducing traffic.
JR East, represented by Director General Shunzo Miyake and Deputy Director Toshiyuki Matsuda, said a comprehensive railway maintenance would optimize operations of Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) lines.
It added that leveraging active partnerships with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) would be crucial for maximizing official development assistance (ODA) from Japan.
Japan’s ODA has long been crucial to railway infrastructure in the Philippines, funding projects such as the rehabilitation of MRT-3, and the soon-to-rise Metro Manila Subway and North-South Commuter Railway.
Dita Angara-Mathay, special trade representative of the Philippines to Japan, said bringing JR East to the country’s railways system would also drive modernization of industrialization and infrastructure.
“Strengthening our ties with leading global players like JR East ensures that our investments in the railway sector translate into real economic gains for businesses and communities,” she added.
