Metro Manila, Philippines – Former Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, serving as special envoy of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on April 30 as Tokyo and Manila moved to deepen cooperation on energy security and clean energy transition.
Kishida, now a member of Japan’s House of Representatives, visited the Philippines to advance discussions under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), a regional initiative that seeks to balance energy security, economic growth and decarbonization.
In his meeting with Marcos, Kishida said recent global developments, including tensions in the Middle East, have underscored the need for more resilient and diversified energy systems, particularly for Asian economies.
He thanked Marcos for participating in the AZEC Plus online summit on energy resilience earlier this month and conveyed Tokyo’s intention to work closely with Manila in expanding the initiative.
Kishida also handed a letter from Takaichi to Marcos and expressed Japan’s interest in co-hosting the fourth AZEC leaders’ meeting with the Philippines in November.
Marcos welcomed Kishida’s visit and expressed appreciation for Japan’s continued support, describing AZEC as increasingly important amid global economic and energy uncertainties. He said the Philippines is prepared to strengthen cooperation with Japan to address emerging challenges.
The two leaders also discussed potential collaboration under the Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience (POWERR) Asia initiative, which is expected to support energy development and resilience projects across the region.
The president is set to embark on a state visit to Tokyo this month.
Kishida later met with Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, where both sides agreed to further expand cooperation ahead of an AZEC ministerial meeting scheduled for September.
Garin described AZEC as a key platform for advancing the country’s energy goals and said the Philippines is keen to deepen engagement, particularly through partnerships with Japanese firms involved in energy and infrastructure projects.
