Japan and Philippines pledge stronger security cooperation

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, during his first official visit to the Philippines since taking office in October, emphasized the mutual commitment between Japan and the Philippines to resist any attempts to alter the status quo in the East and South China Seas through force or intimidation.

During his meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Ishiba announced plans to begin talks on an acquisition and cross-servicing agreement, which would allow both countries' militaries to exchange supplies and services. The leaders also agreed to launch government-level discussions aimed at forming a future agreement on information security.

Highlighting the deepening ties between the two nations, Marcos described the current phase as a "golden age" in bilateral relations and credited Japan’s past security assistance for significantly enhancing the capabilities of Philippine defense forces.

Tensions between China and the Philippines continue to rise due to frequent confrontations in the South China Sea, where Beijing asserts sweeping territorial claims that have been rejected by international legal rulings. Japan, facing its own maritime dispute with China over islands in the East China Sea, has stood as a vital partner in helping the Philippines modernize its maritime defense infrastructure.

The growing strategic alignment between Japan and the Philippines has been reinforced through cooperation with their common ally, the United States. Last year, Marcos and then-Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attended a trilateral summit with U.S. leaders in Washington.

On Tuesday, Ishiba reiterated the importance of the Japan-US-Philippines alliance and also addressed economic concerns, particularly the global effects of trade tensions between the U.S. and China initiated under President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. While the Philippines has been affected by a 17 percent retaliatory tariff, its Department of Trade and Industry reports the nation has been relatively insulated compared to others in the region and may benefit from emerging trade opportunities.

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque was expected to travel to the United States on Tuesday for discussions that are likely to focus on the tariff situation.