Amid a rapidly deteriorating security situation in the Asia-Pacific region, Japan and the Philippines are prioritizing the enhancement of their defense cooperation. This urgent need was emphasized by Japan’s Defense Secretary Gen Nakatani following his two-day visit to the Philippines, during which he met with his Philippine counterpart, Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., and conducted site inspections at various Philippine air bases.
In a joint statement after their discussions, both defense leaders expressed deep concern over the “increasingly severe” security environment that is shaping their respective national interests. They announced plans to convene a “strategic dialogue between high-level operational officers,” aiming to forge closer operational collaboration in defense matters.
This meeting follows a foreign ministers’ conference held in January, where both nations committed to boosting military cooperation as a countermeasure against China’s assertive maneuvers in crucial maritime avenues, notably in the highly contested South China Sea. Secretary Teodoro Jr. remarked on their shared commitment to “resist any unilateral attempt to reshape international law by force,” reinforcing the Philippines and Japan’s stance on the ongoing regional tensions.
The South China Sea has witnessed escalating confrontations in recent months, particularly involving Chinese naval and coast guard vessels that have sought to restrict access for Philippine vessels around key reefs and islands. Notable incidents include the December confrontation in which the Chinese coast guard allegedly used water cannons against a Philippine fisheries department vessel, as well as a recent near-miss involving a Chinese Navy helicopter and a Philippine surveillance plane over the disputed Scarborough Shoal.
Japan’s role in bolstering Philippine maritime capabilities is significant, especially as it provides critical funding for the modernization of the Philippines’ South China Sea patrol craft and maritime surveillance systems, including advanced radar installations. This assistance comes against the backdrop of China’s expansive territorial claims over the waterway, which were deemed legally baseless by an international tribunal.
Moreover, Japan is simultaneously addressing its own territorial disputes with China, particularly concerning a set of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea, known as the Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan. These ongoing disputes, along with rising tensions in the region, have prompted both Tokyo and Manila to deepen their security ties.
A pivotal factor in this strengthening partnership is the longstanding alliance both countries share with the United States, which has been proactively reinforcing its network of alliances in the Pacific to mitigate China’s growing influence. In that context, the Philippine Senate ratified a significant agreement late last year that permits the deployment of troops on each other’s territory, an agreement awaiting approval from Tokyo. If finalized, this pact will pave the way for enhanced joint military exercises and collaborative defense strategies between Japan and the Philippines.
