To foster a stronger maritime cooperation, shipping representatives and government officials from the Philippines and Japan attended a conference dubbed, "Working Together to Meet the Challenge for a Stable Supply of Seafarers."

Organized by the International Mariners Management Association of Japan (IMMAJ) and the Philippine-Japan Manning Consultative Council (PJMCC), the conference was held on October 26 and 27 in Tokyo, Japan.

The Japanese shipping sector has embarked into an expansion project that envisions at least 40% growth in the Japanese fleet (roughly 500 ships) in the next four years.

The two-day conference reaffirmed the commitment of the Philippine government and the Philippine manning agents to boost the continuous supply of ship officers and ratings, as Japan continues to build ships.

Through the conference, the Japanese government, shipowners and ship managers, and the Philippine government and manning agents were able to interact and exchange ideas considering the expansion program.

The conference also tackled important issues regarding the shortage of qualified Filipino officers.

Koichi Fujiwara, Director General of Japan's Maritime Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Secretary Arturo Brion of the Department of Labor and Employment delivered the keynote speeches.

Secretary Brion assured the leaders of the Japanese maritime industry that the Philippine government will carry out specific action plans to address various concerns of the owners.

Meanwhile, three Japanese speakers discussed important issues relevant to the shipping industry.

Japan Marine Science Inc. President Yoshitaka Fukuo tackled the "International Trend of Seafarers and Future View," while Shunsuke Yamawaki of the Japanese Shipowners' Association (JSA) talked about the "Current State and Challenge of Japanese Shipping."

IMMAJ Senior Managing Director Yasuhisa Tsujimoto discussed the education and training initiatives for Filipino Seafarers serving onboard vessels associated with Japanese interests.

At the end of the conference, IMMAJ and PJMCC agreed to sustain their cooperation in ensuring a stable supply of Filipino officers serving onboard Japanese ships.

Speakers from the Philippine-side include: CE Christopher Maambong, on behalf of Chairperson Leonor Tripon Rosero, Chairman of Professional Regulation Commission; Administrator Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration; Benedicto Ernesto Bitonio, Jr., National Labor Relations Commission; Capt. Gregorio Oca, Founder and Chairman of the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP); VAdm. Eduardo Ma. R. Santos, MAAP President; and Ericson M. Marquez, PJMCC Director. They discussed about specific programs and projects which aimed at increasing the number of qualified seafarers. These programs include bridging programs, ladderized education for the maritime sector, cadetship programs and the adoption of the walk-in examination system.

They also assured that the relationship between the maritime industries of Japan and the Philippines would be strengthened and would continue to prosper.

At least 60 delegates from the Philippines attended the conference, while Japan had around 160 representatives.

The delegates from both countries included government officials, representatives from manning agencies, ship owners and ship operators.

The Philippine delegation composed of manning agency representatives was headed by PJMCC Directors Mr. Eduardo Manese (President), Capt. Teodoro Quijano (Vice President), Capt. Emmanuel Regio (Secretary), Ms. Josephine Francisco (Treasurer), Mr. Ericson Marquez (Director), Mr. Ramon Garcia (Director) and Ms. Carmen Rebusi (Director).