By Andrea B. Ramos
Japan is set to deepen its energy partnership with the Philippines, positioning Manila as one of the early beneficiaries under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) framework, as both countries mark the 70th year of diplomatic relations—underscoring a renewed push for closer cooperation in energy security, transition, and investment.
Former Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, Supreme Adviser to the Parliamentary Association of AZEC, said he expects the Philippines to be among the first countries to receive support under the newly launched POWERR Asia (Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience Asia), a regional financing initiative involving 11 economies aimed at strengthening energy resilience and advancing decarbonization across Asia.
Kishida made the statement during the AZEC press conference following separate meetings with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Department of Energy Secretary Sharon Garin in Manila, where discussions centered on expanding cooperation in liquefied natural gas (LNG), nuclear energy, and long-term energy system stability.
He stressed that growing geopolitical tensions and supply uncertainties, particularly in the Middle East, are reinforcing the urgency for more diversified and resilient energy systems in the region.
Kishida also underscored the importance of strengthening ASEAN-wide collaboration through AZEC, noting that Japan and the Philippines will co-host the fourth AZEC leaders’ meeting in November, which is expected to further refine regional energy cooperation mechanisms.
He confirmed that detailed discussions on POWERR Asia will continue among its 11 member economies—Japan, Australia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, and Cambodia—to define funding pathways and project priorities.
Japan currently has more than 540 AZEC-related projects across Southeast Asia, including over 30 in the Philippines covering renewable energy, bioenergy, and other transition-related investments.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is expected to visit Japan later this month, where both sides are seen to further advance discussions on financing, strategic energy investments, and expanded cooperation under the AZEC and POWERR Asia frameworks.