In a resolute statement, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has reaffirmed Japan’s dedication to supporting the Philippines in its efforts to decarbonize and achieve a “Net Zero” goal.
During his address before a special joint session of the Philippine Congress on Saturday, Prime Minister Kishida emphasized Tokyo’s unwavering commitment to fostering the economic and social advancement of the country, aligning with the Marcos administration’s “Build Better More” program.
Prime Minister Kishida remarked, “Japan is among the Philippines’ largest private-sector investors. We are actively engaged in public-private partnerships and investments in companies contributing to decarbonization.”
Furthermore, he underscored Japan’s intention to foster cooperation among Asian nations regarding environmental initiatives. “With a shared commitment to addressing climate change, an issue highly regarded by the Marcos administration, we are deepening collaboration in the realm of energy transition, embodied by the ‘Asia Zero Emissions Community (AZEC)’ concept,” Kishida stated.
“We are planning to convene an AZEC summit meeting and will collaborate with participating countries to collectively pursue the ‘Net Zero’ objective, using diverse pathways for energy transitions tailored to each country’s unique circumstances,” he added.
In his address, Prime Minister Kishida also emphasized the long-standing relationship between Manila and Tokyo, emphasizing their bilateral ties that have persevered through challenging times. “Over the past half-century, exchanges between our two nations have deepened, and today, the partnership between Japan and the Philippines is stronger than ever,” he noted.
Kishida expressed his hope to collaborate with President Marcos and other ASEAN leaders to ensure that the enduring “golden friendship” between Japan and ASEAN evolves into a “golden opportunity” that paves the way for the next generation.
Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to Manila, which began on Friday, marks a two-day official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between Japan and the Philippines.
Carlo Juancho FuntanillaFrontend Developer, WordPress, Shopify
Contributing Editor
AMA ACLC San Pablo
