May 28, 2026 Signing of Joint Declaration of Intent on the Establishment of Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence with the Department of Information and Communications Technology of the Republic of the Philippines

On Thursday, May 28, 2026, Ms. MUKOYAMA Jun, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications signed the "Joint Declaration of Intent on the Establishment of Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence" between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan and the Department of Information and Communications Technology of the Republic of the Philippines with Mr. Henry R. Aguda, Secretary of Department of Information and Communications Technology.

1 Background of the Signing of Joint Declaration of Intent

　To date, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan has promoted cooperation with the Philippines in the field of information and communications based on the “Memorandum of Cooperation in the ICT Field” signed with the Department of Information and Communications Technology of the Philippines.

　Taking the opportunity of the State Visit to Japan by H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., President of Philippines, Ms. MUKOYAMA Jun, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications and Mr. Henry R. Aguda, Secretary of Department of Information and Communications Technology of the Philippines, also taking into account the “ASEAN–Japan Digital Ministers’ Joint Statement on Promoting Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence” adopted at the ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting with Japan in January 2026, signed the new "Joint Declaration of Intent on the Establishment of Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence" (hereinafter referred to as "JDI") which aims to further concretize cooperation in the field of AI under the Memorandum of Cooperation.

2 Overview of Joint Declaration of Intent

　The JDI identifies specific areas of cooperation, including the development and utilization of AI models, including sovereign AI that reflects local languages and cultures, the expansion of AI robotics industries, the co-creation and deployment of AI solutions for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and capacity building and human resource development.

　The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan and the Department of Information and Communications Technology of the Republic of the Philippines are to strengthen cooperation between the two ministries, and to promote cooperation among businesses of both countries.

3 Future Policy

　Based on this JDI, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan will further promote cooperation between the two countries in the field of AI.

Related press release:
Signing of Memorandum of Cooperation in the ICT Field between MIC and the Department of Information and Communications Technology of the Republic of the Philippines (February 9, 2023)
https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_sosiki/joho_tsusin/eng/pressrelease/2023/2/09_01.html