Japanese firm to invest PHP 4B in PH retirement hubs

Japanese wellness company Nambu Co., Ltd. has committed to investing PHP 4 billion to establish 10 Japanese-style retirement and wellness centers in the Philippines.

The Osaka-based company, recognized for its expertise in senior care and assisted-living services in Japan, said the initiative will also train Filipino caregivers to meet Japanese standards.

Nambu Co., Ltd. plans to open its first retirement facility in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

The Department of Trade and Industry announced the investment following a meeting with top officials on September 11, 2025.

The DTI said the project seeks to harness the Philippines’ skilled workforce to help address Japan’s growing labor needs while boosting local employment opportunities.

Trade Secretary Cristina A. Roque said the initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to grow high-value industries, create jobs, and position the Philippines as a leading hub for retirement and wellness in Asia.

“This project is more than an investment—it is a partnership for dignity, wellness, and opportunity for our people,” Roque said.

“By combining Japanese expertise in eldercare with our natural advantages—warm climate, hospitable culture, and skilled workforce—we can make the Philippines a second home for Japanese and global retirees,” she added.

Tourism Undersecretary Shalimar Hofer Tamano, Tourism Attaché Jerome Diaz, Philippine Retirement Authority CEO Roberto Zozobrado, and trade officials from the DTI’s Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Osaka also joined the meeting.

The CREATE MORE Act, which provides fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to attract foreign investors, supports the project.

Officials said the collaboration represents a whole-of-government approach, with the DTI, Department of Tourism, and Philippine Retirement Authority working together to attract sustainable foreign investments.

The Philippines has been actively promoting itself as a retirement destination, banking on its English-speaking workforce, affordable living costs, and cultural affinity with Asian and Western markets.