Ex-Japan PM to visit Philippines for energy talks

MANILA, Philippines — Japan’s former prime minister Fumio Kishida will visit the Philippines this week to discuss energy cooperation and strengthen bilateral relations, the Japanese embassy in Manila said yesterday.

Kishida, serving as special envoy of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and supreme advisor to the Parliamentary Association of Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), will visit Manila from April 30 to May 2.

The embassy said Kishida will meet with Philippine officials to “exchange views on promoting tangible initiatives under AZEC and strengthening bilateral relations, among others.”

President Marcos will visit Japan from May 26 to 29, upon the invitation of the Japanese government, to reaffirm and further strengthen the Philippines-Japan strategic partnership.

Japan earlier pledged $10 billion in financial support for Southeast Asian economies as the Middle East crisis threatens Tokyo’s procurement of vital medical equipment derived from oil.

Takaichi announced the new framework, called the Partnership On Wide Energy and Resources Resilience, during an online meeting with leaders from Asian countries and partners of the AZEC.

The new regional energy security initiative will help Asian countries strengthen their energy supply chain and help them better procure crude and petroleum products.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has concluded the Foreign Assistance Leveraged for Cybersecurity Operational Needs Program.

Culminating in a two-day event in Pasay City, the FALCON Program’s conclusion was marked by a high-level cybersecurity incident response simulation exercise.

The program is a critical initiative conducted in partnership with the US Department of State and Australian consultancy firm CyberCX.

A cybersecurity strategy and roadmap had been turned over by the CyberCX team.