Marcos, Japan PM discuss bilateral ties, ASEAN Summit

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi discussed various areas of cooperation, including defense, security and preparations for the upcoming 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits – which will be held in Metro Manila from Nov. 15 to 17 – during a phone call yesterday.

In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the two leaders discussed the 4th Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Leaders’ Meeting, which the Philippines and Japan are scheduled to co-chair in November.

A Japan-led initiative, AZEC is aimed at promoting clean energy, reducing carbon emissions and supporting sustainable economic growth while strengthening energy security across the region.

During the AZEC Plus One Online Summit last April 15, Japan announced its $10-billion Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience or POWERR Asia initiative to support energy security and resilience across the region.

“During the phone call today, the two leaders also discussed various areas of cooperation, such as on the Luzon Economic Corridor, defense and security and Japan’s long-standing support to peace consolidation efforts in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. The President and the Prime Minister likewise exchanged views on artificial intelligence cooperation and regional developments,” the PCO said.

Marcos and Takaichi last held a bilateral meeting on May 28 during the former’s state visit to Japan, when the two countries elevated their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said preparations for the ASEAN Summit are “time on target.”

Recto, who chairs the ASEAN National Organizing Council, presided over a command conference on Monday.

“With 20 heads of state in attendance, this is a meeting with a million moving parts, from convoys to conferences, from agenda to attractions to be visited, from security to seat plans, so failure on our part is not an option,” he said.