By Brian Campued
On the sidelines of his state visit to Japan on Thursday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met with representatives of key Japanese agencies and reputable charitable foundations to further expand development initiatives between the Philippines and Japan.
Following his separate meetings with several Japanese business executives, the President met with former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo to discuss deeper cooperation between the Philippines and Japan on advancing regional energy resilience and energy transition initiatives under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) framework.
Kishida, who serves as Supreme Adviser to the Parliamentary Association of the AZEC, previously visited Marcos in Malacañang, where they reaffirmed continued cooperation in AZEC’s efforts to promote a shift to cleaner energy.
In a Facebook post, the President said he had a “productive discussion” with Kishida on how the Philippines and Japan can work together to “strengthen energy security and invigorate the transition [to] a decarbonized future” for their peoples.
The Chief Executive also welcomed Japan’s $10-billion Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience (POWERR Asia) initiative aimed at boosting regional energy security through assisting Asian countries to support energy procurement, stockpiling capacity, energy diversification, and investments in energy efficiency.
The POWERR Asia initiative was launched by the current Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, in April during an online meeting with President Marcos and other leaders and representatives of AZEC Plus countries.
Marcos said the POWERR Asia initiative will help “support more stable energy supply, better energy storage and procurement, and investments in cleaner and more efficient technologies across the region.”
He likewise expressed the Philippines’ readiness to co-chair the AZEC Leaders’ Summit with Takaichi in Manila in November this year, as part of the ASEAN activities under the Philippine chairship.
“As we prepare to co-chair the AZEC Leaders’ Summit in Manila this November, the Philippines remains committed to building a more secure, greener and sustainable energy future for every Filipino,” he said.
Dev’t cooperation with JICA
In his meeting with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Dr. Tanaka Akihiko, President Marcos Jr. pushed for “high-impact” development cooperation aimed at advancing efforts in infrastructure modernization, healthcare, climate action, as well as peace and development initiatives in Mindanao.
The two leaders also discussed ongoing and pipeline projects aimed at boosting connectivity, disaster resilience, human resource development, and economic growth in the Philippines.
Marcos hailed JICA as one of the Philippines’ “most important development partnerships” as it remains the country’s largest provider of Official Development Assistance (ODA), which supports economic and social development in developing countries while promoting international cooperation.
“JICA continues to help power projects that create jobs, improve connectivity and make everyday life better for Filipinos,” the President said.
“We also welcomed JICA’s continued support as we work to protect our economy and our people from the impact of rising global oil prices and global uncertainties.”
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), JICA has been supporting about 26 ongoing ODA loan projects in the Philippines amounting to $12.16 billion as of May 2026 as well as a total of 47 grants amounting to $288.93 million as of December 2025.
“For the Japanese Fiscal Year 2026, the Japanese government, through JICA, is targeting the signing of nine pipeline loans amounting to JPY 292.10 billion, or about USD 1.84 billion,” PCO said.
“Among the projects targeted for implementation are the Build Universal Health Care Program – Subprogram 3 and the Climate Change Action Program Subprogram 3, both expected to provide additional support for the country’s healthcare and climate resilience initiatives,” it added.
Inclusive dev’t at the forefront
Meanwhile, President Marcos Jr. expressed appreciation to The Nippon Foundation and Sasakawa Peace Foundation for their longstanding support for Filipino maritime professionals, peacebuilders, and healthcare initiatives.
In a meeting with Yohei Sasakawa, Chairperson of The Nippon Foundation and Honorary Chairperson of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Marcos conveyed the Philippines’ interest in sustaining the partnership and vowed to continue working with the foundations in mutual areas of interest.
Reflecting Japan’s contribution to human-centered development in the Philippines, both sides discussed new areas of potential cooperation, such as in critical minerals, digital innovation, artificial intelligence and sustainable ocean governance.
“The Nippon Foundation and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation have been helping open doors for many Filipinos for years,” Marcos said, noting that their partnership with the Philippines continues to “create opportunities that make a real difference.”
The Sasakawa Peace Foundation has provided scholarship grants at the World Maritime University in Sweden, benefitting Philippine Coast Guard personnel, and likewise supported the Asian Peacebuilders Scholarship, a dual-degree peacebuilding program in Ateneo de Manila University and the University of Peace in Costa Rica.
The Nippon Foundation, on the other hand, has been involved in advancing healthcare initiatives in the Philippines through support for the Philippine School of Prosthetics and Orthotics as well as public health programs to combat leprosy.
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