Unlocking opportunities: Former ConGen of Japan in Davao meets with Davao City officials to explore industry and academic cooperation

To expand its network in the areas of education in the city, the former Consul General of Japan in Davao and the former Ambassador of the Solomon Islands, Mr. Miwa Yoshiaki, together with his brother, Mr. Miwa Toyoaki, paid a courtesy call to Davao City Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte at Arcadia Event Center, Davao City on February 18.

During the meeting, Mr. Miwa Yoshiaki, the current president of the Mindanao-Japan Science and Science and Technology Platform (MJ-STep), expressed their interest in providing scholarships specifically to students enrolling in the field of Science and Technology. 

MJ-STeP, founded by Mr. Yoshiaki’s brother, Mr. Miwa Toyoaki, aimed to contribute to the development of academic and research exchanges and foster industrial growth in the Philippines and other countries. The scholarships are awarded to outstanding master’s or doctoral degree candidates and researchers in science and engineering. 

Four universities in Davao have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MJ-STeP namely: the University of the Philippines Mindanao (UP Mindanao), the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP), Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) and the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP). 

Host universities for MJ-STeP scholars are Kyoto University, Hiroshima University, Tohoku University, and the Institute of Science Tokyo. MJ-SteP also provides a scholarship for Japanese language teachers from Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku (MKD) in Kyoto University of Foreign Studies. 

The scholarship is awarded to outstanding master’s or doctoral degree candidates and researchers in science and engineering. Scholarships with a duration of 2 to 3 years are awarded annually.

On a separate note, Mr. Yoshiaki said they are keen on promoting business matching in the city, as this will unlock new opportunities for economic growth, innovation, and job creation, ultimately enhancing the city’s competitiveness and prosperity. 

He also pledged to support projects such as improving cacao and other agri-commodities, renewable energy, waste management, and flood-control-related projects.

In response, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte said the projects mentioned by the former consul general will be helpful for the city’s food security, as the city has an abundant land to utilize. 

“I want my people to be fed, educated, and also healthy. I’d like to focus more on agriculture and promote agribusiness, as this can generate revenue because we still have so much land that we can utilize,” Mayor Duterte said.

Meanwhile, Atty. Jonah Presto, City Mayor’s Office Assistant Chief-of-staff, said agricultural projects could be piloted within the 15 hectares of land located in Malabog, Paquibato, where soil analysis and crop rotation could be initiated.

Mayor Duterte said the city is willing to cooperate with the said projects, remembering that Davao City and Japan have a long history of friendship.