The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), together with Sumitomo Corporation and Hankyu Corporation, have concluded an agreement for the operation and maintenance of the Manila Light Rail Transit System Line 1, an urban passenger railroad connecting north and south in Metro Manila, Philippines. 

The Metro Manila LRT Line 1 spans roughly 20 km, with a planned southern extension covering approximately 7 km and installing five new stations slated for completion by the conclusion of 2024. This initiative aims to bolster urban transportation connectivity and mitigate traffic congestion in Metro Manila and its surrounding areas by implementing operational enhancements to the existing facilities along the primary north-south railroad, LRT Line 1.

Sumitomo Corporation invested in LRT-1 in 2020, focusing on stabilizing LRMC's management and enhancing its value through support for spare parts procurement. Moving forward, the company will collaborate with its new partners, Hankyu and JICA, to further enhance the business value of LRMC. Notably, this project marks Hankyu Corporation and JICA's initial venture into overseas investment in railroad operation and maintenance.