Think tank calls for enhanced energy partnership with Japan

Think tank group Stratbase Institute lauded the enhancement of relations between the Philippines and Japan under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC).

This came following the recent visit of former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the country. He serves as special envoy of Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and supreme adviser to the Parliamentary Association of AZEC.

In a press release on Saturday, Stratbase Institute called on the administration to accelerate AZEC-related initiatives, advance concrete energy projects with Japan and like-minded partners, and strengthen the country’s long-term energy resilience.

Stratbase said Kishida's meetings with President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. and Energy Secretary Sharon Garin reaffirm the growing importance of Philippines-Japan cooperation ''at a time when global instability is once again exposing the fragility of energy supply chains and the risks of overdependence on volatile external sources.''

It said that AZEC offers a credible and forward-looking framework that advances three essential goals simultaneously: energy security, economic growth, and decarbonization. 

"It creates opportunities for the Philippines to access reliable technology, attract quality investments, and accelerate the development of resilient domestic energy capacity," Stratbase said. 

Further, the think tank welcomed plans for the Philippines and Japan to co-host the 4th AZEC Leaders Meeting in November, noting that it is a clear recognition of the Philippines’ growing strategic role in the Indo-Pacific.

Meanwhile, Stratbase also warned that the Philippines should remain cautious of proposals from China that carry serious geopolitical costs. 

"Any energy arrangement that comes with implicit or explicit concessions in the West Philippine Sea, or that turns a blind eye to the ongoing coercion there, directly undermines the country’s sovereign and national interests," it said. 

Stratbase said that Japan has consistently demonstrated genuine partnership with the Philippines, which is built on mutual respect, transparency, capacity-building, and adherence to international law.

''These are the foundations of sustainable cooperation and the kind of partnership the Philippines should continue to deepen,'' it said.  —VBL, GMA News