Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio (Noel Pabalate/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio underscored before Philippine Congress Saturday, Nov. 4 his "renewed commitment" to defend a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)". 

This, as the foreign leader expressed worries that international order based on the rule of law "is under serious threat". 

"The international community is currently at a historic turning point, and the international order based on the rule of law that we have taken for granted is under serious threat," Kishida said in his speech, which he delivered in Japanese before a special joint session of the House of Representatives and the Senate. 

"The international community is also facing complex and interrelated challenges such as climate change and infectious diseases. Under these circumstances, we cannot afford to have the world be divided based on ideologies and values," he said. 

"During my visit to the United States in January," recalled Kishida, "I expressed my strong determination to defend a '[FOIP]'. Also in March, I announced a new plan to realize the FOIP. Underlying this plan is our determination to lead the international community toward cooperation rather than division and confrontation, and to defend 'freedom' and 'the rule of law' at all costs," he said. 

"Today, I stand here to share with you my renewed commitment to further advance these efforts and to share with you my thoughts on how to do so," he said. 

Kishida further vowed that Japan will promote "cooperation in line with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), which resonates with the FOIP". 

"We will work with ASEAN to ensure that many countries support and cooperate for the principles and activities set forth in the AOIP, such as openness, transparency, inclusiveness, and a rules-based framework."

He said that the four pillars of the new FOIP plan are 1. upholding the principles for peace and rules for prosperity, 2. addressing challenges in an Indo-Pacific way, 3. strengthening multi-layered connectivity, and 4. extending efforts for security and safe use of the sea to the air.

PH Congress a bastion of 'human dignity'--Kishida

Recalling his thoughts during the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan last May, Kishida said that he "strongly felt there was the need to return to the very basic foundation that everyone can share". 

"What I emphasize as such a foundation is the idea of 'human dignity'...There is no better place to stress the significance of 'human dignity' than here in the Philippine Congress," he said. 

The Japanese leader said the Constitution of the Philippines stipulates that the Congress shall "give highest priority to protecting and enhancing the rights of all people to “human dignity”. 

"In order for everyone to live with dignity, it is essential to build a peaceful and stable world," noted Kishida. 

"From this standpoint, I confirmed with President Marcos during his visit to Japan in February that we would work together to maintain and strengthen the free and open international order based on the rule of law," he said.