Japan and the Philippines are set to sign a crucial defense pact allowing Japanese forces to conduct joint military exercises in the Philippines, which has a history of brutal Japanese occupation during World War II. The agreement, known as the Reciprocal Access Agreement, will also permit Filipino forces to participate in training exercises in Japan. The signing ceremony will be attended by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, and witnessed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The pact will come into effect after approval by both countries’ legislative bodies. Kamikawa and Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara are in Manila to discuss ways to enhance bilateral relations with their Filipino counterparts.
Japan’s defense agreement with the Philippines marks its first such pact in Asia, following similar agreements with Australia in 2022 and Britain last year. Under Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Japan has been expanding its security capabilities, including developing a counterstrike capability, a departure from its postwar stance of focusing solely on self-defense. Japan aims to double its defense spending by 2027 to strengthen its military power, positioning itself as the world’s third-largest military spender after the United States and China.
The move to bolster Japan’s military capacity comes amidst regional tensions, particularly with North Korea’s threats and China’s assertiveness. The growing military role and spending by Japan, a country that previously engaged in aggression in Asia, could be a delicate matter for its neighbors. Nevertheless, Japan and the Philippines have been enhancing their defense and security ties in recent years.
The defense collaboration aligns with President Marcos’ strategy to establish security alliances that enhance the Philippines’ defense capabilities, particularly in safeguarding its territorial interests in the South China Sea. The region is a vital trade route claimed largely by China but also disputed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. In light of China’s moves in the South China Sea, the United States has been reinforcing military partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, including with Japan and the Philippines, traditional allies.
Japan has an ongoing territorial dispute with China in the East China Sea, while incidents between Chinese and Philippine naval and coast guard vessels in the South China Sea have escalated tensions. In a recent clash, Chinese coast guard personnel armed with weapons rammed and destroyed two Philippine navy supply ships, injuring Filipino sailors and seizing rifles. The Philippines lodged a protest over the incident, demanding compensation and the return of the seized rifles, while China blamed the Philippines for entering what it claimed as Chinese territorial waters.
The United States, Japan, and other countries have criticized China’s actions in the South China Sea, urging Beijing to adhere to international laws. Washington reaffirmed its commitment to defend the Philippines, its oldest Asian ally, in case of armed attacks against Filipino forces or assets in the region. Amidst regional challenges and competing territorial claims, the defense agreements between Japan, the Philippines, and their alliance with the United States are aimed at strengthening security cooperation and deterrence against potential threats in the Indo-Pacific region.
