“We’re seeing an increasingly tough surrounding security environment, and that there is a need for the two nations, strategically aligned, to strengthen their defense cooperation and collaboration to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific,” Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said in a top-level meeting in Manila.
In a breakthrough, Tokyo and Manila have agreed to deepen their cooperation in defense in response to growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific. The two U.S. ally states have sought to strengthen their cooperation in response to growing security pressures, including China’s expanding maritime claims in the East and South China Seas. The accord reflects Tokyo and Manila’s growing alliance in their bid to shore up regional stability through greater military interactions, strategic talks, and intelligence sharing.
Important Meeting and Agreements
Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani met in Manila for talks with his Philippine counterpart, Gilberto Teodoro, to address urgent regional security concerns. The talks dwelled on various aspects, including China’s aggressive maritime forays and general Indo-Pacific stability. As a result of the discussions, the two governments agreed on several priority steps: Strengthening military interactions to improve interoperability and cooperation.
Creating a top-level strategic dialogue between their militaries to ensure direct talks and crisis response. Improving intelligence sharing to advance intelligence collection and planning. These deals signify a new chapter in Tokyo-Manila’s cooperation in defense, cementing their positions as top regional allies.
Reason for Increased Cooperation
Both Tokyo and Manila have growing reasons to fret about China’s growing aggression in contested waters. The Philippines has also witnessed several military confrontations with China’s military in the South China Sea, including around Scarborough Shoal, while Japan continues to have military run-ins with China in waters around the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands. In recent years, Japan and the Philippines have strengthened their cooperation on security, recognizing their joint interest in preventing China’s attempts to modify the status quo by military means. As two of America’s closest Asian allies, both states are poised to assume a larger role in maintaining stability in their region.
Background and Current Agreements
The recent agreements build upon previous defense collaborations between Japan and the Philippines. Last year, the two nations signed a military pact allowing their forces to station personnel on each other’s soil. This accord marked a major shift in Japan’s defense policy, signifying its broader security ambitions in the Indo-Pacific.
The ongoing dispute between China and Japan over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands and China’s frequent military run-ins with the Philippines in the Scarborough Shoal demonstrate the growing necessity for enhanced defense cooperation. By aligning their strategies and expanding military collaboration, Japan and the Philippines are building stronger deterrence against potential threats in the region.
Specific Actions and Support
As part of Japan’s initiative to deepen defense cooperation with the Philippines, Nakatani visited military bases in northern Philippines, including a coastal radar station that houses a Japanese-donated radar system. This system was part of Japan’s 600 million yen (US$4 million) security assistance package in 2023, aimed at enhancing Manila’s maritime surveillance capabilities. In December, Japan and the Philippines signed another significant security accord, under which Tokyo will provide the Philippine Navy with rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) and additional coastal radar systems.
These assets will significantly enhance the Philippines’ ability to monitor and respond to threats in its maritime domain. Japan’s security assistance to the Philippines aligns with its broader strategy to strengthen the defensive capabilities of like-minded nations in the Indo-Pacific. The Philippines was among the first recipients of Tokyo’s Official Security Assistance (OSA) program, designed to enhance the deterrence capabilities of Japan’s strategic partners.
Japan’s Defense Policy Shift
Japan’s enhanced military cooperation with the Philippines aligns with its broader shift toward a more proactive defense strategy. In recent years, Tokyo has taken significant steps to support its security and military capabilities, moving beyond its post-World War II self-defense constraints. A key component of this shift is Japan’s plan to double its defense spending over five years, reaching approximately 2% of its GDP by 2027.
This budget increase aims to enhance Japan’s military capabilities, including acquiring counterstrike capabilities to better respond to potential threats. Japan’s expanding defense role is not only focused on its own national security but also on strengthening regional defense cooperation with allies such as the United States, Australia, and the Philippines.
Heightening Tensions in the South China Sea
The growing defense collaboration between Japan and the Philippines comes at a time of escalating tensions in the South China Sea, where China has repeatedly clashed with the Philippines. Just last week, a Chinese military helicopter carried out dangerous maneuvers near a Philippine fisheries aircraft over the Scarborough Shoal. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, a position that has led to frequent confrontations with regional nations, including the Philippines. In response, Manila is ramping up efforts to strengthen its defense partnerships and improve its maritime security capabilities.
Conclusion
The latest agreements between Japan and the Philippines highlight the increasing importance of regional defense cooperation in the face of evolving security challenges. As China continues its assertive activities in the Indo-Pacific, Tokyo and Manila are deepening their strategic ties to maintain stability and deter potential conflicts. Through strengthened military exchanges, intelligence sharing, and expanded security assistance, Japan and the Philippines are reinforcing their roles as key players in regional security. Their growing partnership is a crucial element in the broader effort to uphold international law and ensure peace in the Indo-Pacific. As tensions continue to rise, the strengthened defense collaboration between Japan and the Philippines will play a key role in shaping the future security landscape of the region.
