The Philippines and Japan signed on Thursday a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) to strengthen the country’s preparations for nuclear power development, focusing on technical expertise, institutional capacity, nuclear safety, and responsible deployment.

The agreement was signed by Energy Secretary Sharon Garin and Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ryosei Akazawa, on the sidelines of the 4th Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Ministerial Meeting.

For the Philippines, this moment presents an opportunity to bring greater urgency and purpose to regional cooperation: strengthen preparedness for energy emergencies while accelerating the investments, infrastructure, and technologies needed for a more secure energy future.

“As we prepare to introduce nuclear energy into our power mix, we must ensure that the necessary expertise, institutions, and safeguards are in place. Japan’s experience will help us strengthen our technical capabilities, regulatory preparedness, and public confidence in the safe and responsible development of nuclear energy,” Garin said.

Under the MOC, the DOE and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) will establish a joint working group to identify priority cooperation activities, monitor progress, and facilitate technical exchanges.

Cooperation may cover nuclear safety and emergency preparedness, disaster response, nuclear security and safeguards, health impact studies, export controls, and public engagement. Technical exchanges may also include institutional arrangements, potential ownership structures, and reactor technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs).

The partnership will facilitate specialized training, research collaboration, technical workshops, scientific visits, and personnel exchanges, with possible participation from Japanese government agencies, research institutions, and industry organizations, including the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum (JAIF), JAIF International Cooperation Center (JICC), and Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA).

The agreement supports the Philippines’ efforts to develop nuclear energy as a potential source of reliable baseload electricity, complementing renewable energy and strengthening the country’s long term energy security.

“Our goal is to build a power system that can reliably support Filipino households, industries, and economic growth. Nuclear energy can play an important role in diversifying our energy sources, strengthening energy security, and meeting the country’s growing electricity demand,” Garin added.

The MOC will take effect upon completion of the respective domestic procedures and exchange of written notifications through diplomatic channels. It will remain effective for two years, with automatic annual renewal unless discontinued in accordance with its provisions. Department of Energy