Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual (file photo) MANILA - Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual has encouraged Japanese companies to further invest and expand their operations in the Philippines. This, as Pascual accompanied President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his official working visit to Japan, where they met 11 Japanese firms involved in manufacturing of semiconductors, electronics and wiring harness. In a statement, the DTI said these firms include Brother Industries, Ltd., IBIDEN Co., Ltd., Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Seiko Epson Corporation, Nidec-Shimpo Corporation, Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, TDK Corporation, Sumimoto Wiring Systems Ltd., Yazaki Corporation, Yokowo Co., Ltd., and Panasonic Corporation. Pascual said these companies presented to the Marcos their current operations in the country as well as their future investment plans. "With the demand expected to grow in the global market, we would like to explore how we can encourage y