Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo (third left) and Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (fourth left) pose for a photo following the announcement of their statement to support meetings of the Asian Zero Energy Carbon in the prime minister’s office in Tokyo.

Kishida says Japan is ready to lead Asia in achieving decarbonisation and energy security

TOKYO (AP) -- Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged to lead efforts to simultaneously achieve decarbonisation, economic growth and energy security in Asia, an ambitious goal he set Monday at a regional climate summit attended by Southeast Asian leaders.
Kishida told the summit of the Asia Zero Emission Community, or AZEC, that the initiative will create “a new, huge decarbonisation market in Asia that will attract global capital.”
Decarbonisation in Asia will require 4,000 trillion yen (US$28 trillion), Kishida said, and promised to establish a new organisation to support AZEC countries in their effort to implement policies needed to achieve carbon neutrality.
Leaders of nine member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations except Myanmar, in addition to Australia, expressed commitment to cooperate toward achieving carbon neutrality. The summit was held one day after Japan hosted a special summit Sunday commemorating 50 years of ties with Asean.

(Latest Update December 20, 2023)