Japan’s defense chief emphasized the need for stronger security cooperation with the Philippines on Monday, citing an “increasingly severe” security environment in the Indo-Pacific region.
Defense Secretary Gen Nakatani made the remarks at the conclusion of a two-day visit to Manila, where he met with Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and toured key air bases.
“Secretary Teodoro and I firmly concurred that the security environment surrounding us is becoming increasingly severe, and it is necessary to further enhance defense cooperation,” Nakatani said in a joint press briefing.
The two countries agreed to establish a “strategic dialogue between high-level operational officers” to boost coordination in regional security efforts.
China’s Actions Fuel Japan-Philippines Security Ties
Nakatani’s visit follows a January meeting between the two nations’ foreign ministers, where Tokyo and Manila pledged to strengthen security cooperation to counter China’s expanding presence in key sea trade routes, including the disputed South China Sea.
The Philippines has repeatedly clashed with China over territorial disputes. In December, the Philippine government accused the Chinese coast guard of using a water cannon and “sideswiping” a government fisheries vessel.
Tensions escalated further last week when a Chinese Navy helicopter came within 10 feet (three meters) of a Philippine surveillance plane carrying journalists over the contested Scarborough Shoal.
Japan Supports Philippine Defense Modernization Amid South China Sea Disputes
Japan plays a crucial role in financing the Philippines’ efforts to modernize its maritime surveillance and South China Sea patrol craft. Tokyo has provided funding for radar installations and other defense infrastructure aimed at bolstering Manila’s capabilities.
China, which claims nearly the entire South China Sea despite an international tribunal ruling rejecting its claim, has deployed naval and coast guard vessels to restrict Philippine access to strategic reefs and islands in the region.
Japan and Philippines Strengthen Defense Pact as U.S. Allies
Japan and the Philippines, both close allies of the United States, are working within a broader strategy to counter China’s expanding influence in the Indo-Pacific.
Last year, the Philippine Senate ratified a key defense agreement with Japan, allowing troops from both nations to be deployed on each other’s soil and enabling increased joint military drills. The agreement is now pending ratification in Tokyo.
Meanwhile, Japan has its own territorial dispute with China over the uninhabited Senkaku Islands (known as Diaoyu in China) in the East China Sea. The islands are claimed by Beijing but administered by Tokyo, adding another layer to Japan’s security concerns.
With geopolitical tensions rising, Japan-Philippines security ties are expected to continue expanding, reinforcing a regional alliance that seeks to uphold international law and deter unilateral actions in the Indo-Pacific.
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