| | APRIL 20248IN FOCUSGOOGLE INVESTING $1 BILLION IN SUBSEA CABLES TO BOOST JAPAN CONNECTIVITYJAPAN, US TO ASSIST PHILIPPINES' NUCLEAR PROGRAMGoogle, an Alphabet-owned firm, has announced a substantial investment of $1 billion to enhance digital connectivity between the United States and Japan. This initiative comes at a time of heightened efforts to strengthen ties between the two nations, highlighted by a visit from the Japanese prime minister. The investment will primarily focus on the establishment of two new subsea cables, named Proa and Taihei, aimed at improving connectivity not only between the U.S. and Japan but also with various Pacific island countries and territories.In a joint statement between the United States and Japan, it was emphasized that both countries plan to collaborate with allies to build trustworthy and resilient networks in the Pacific region. This move is particularly significant given the increasing interest from China and the U.S. in asserting influence in this area through infrastructure and military partnerships.President Joe Biden's administration views telecommunications services as a crucial national security concern, recognizing their control over global information flows. In line with this, the U.S. has committed to jointly funding the construction of undersea cables, with Google undertaking the project. These cables will connect the U.S. territory of Guam with hubs in Fiji and French Polynesia, extending further to remote Pacific Islands.Google's Proa cable will link the U.S., Japan, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and Guam, while the Taihei cable will connect the U.S., Japan, and Hawaii. Additionally, Google plans to finance the construction of an interlink cable connecting Hawaii, CNMI, and Guam. Collaboration with Japanese-based companies like KDDI and Arteria Networks, as well as Philippines-based Citadel Pacific and CNMI, is also part of Google's strategy to enhance digital connectivity in the region. Japan, the United States, and the Philippines have solidified their collaboration to bolster the Philippines' civil nuclear program as part of an expanded trilateral cooperation effort. This commitment stems from the Philippines' request for additional training and capacity building for professionals involved in civil nuclear initiatives.In a Joint Vision Statement released after their trilateral meeting at the White House, the three nations articulated their intention to enhance cooperation in deploying clean energy technologies, including renewables, to meet the Philippines' energy needs and facilitate a just transition. They also expressed plans to deepen collaboration on developing the civilian nuclear workforce through a trilateral dialogue, with a focus on advancing the Philippines' civil nuclear energy endeavours.Additionally, Manila, Tokyo, and Washington are aligned in transitioning to clean energy and fostering high-standard, clean energy supply chain jobs while ensuring fair market competition and robust protections for labour rights and the environment. To further support the Philippines' nuclear aspirations, the US and Japan will jointly organize a nuclear energy study tour in Japan for Filipino nuclear experts and policymakers. This initiative underscores the significance of nuclear energy as a vital component of a multifaceted and inclusive clean energy transition.President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has shown enthusiasm for welcoming small modular nuclear power companies into the Philippines, citing their enhanced safety and cleanliness, which align with the country's geographic diversity. Last year, the Philippines and the United States established the "123 agreement," facilitating the peaceful export of US nuclear technology to the Philippines.Moreover, the three nations acknowledged their joint support for the critical minerals industry to fortify global supply chains. This collaborative approach aims to promote resilience and reliability in critical minerals supply.
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