Semi-ally Relations with Philippines

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreed with the President of Philippine Ferdinand Marcos on pushing the strategic partnership forward in the meeting at the Office of the President of Philippines on Friday. The Joint Statement noted that Japan would assist building the capacities of Philippine defense forces through the Official Security Assistance (OSA), which made the first example of applying the new security cooperation framework introduced last December. Both leaders decided to start negotiations on a reciprocal access agreement. The government of Japan calls the bilateral relationship “semi-ally.”

Both leaders affirmed their ongoing discussions and cooperation through bilateral Japan-Philippines meetings and trilateral Japan-Philippines-US meetings, the foreign and defense ministerial meetings (2 plus 2), vice-ministerial strategic dialogue and political-military or military to military dialogue. They reaffirmed their commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight in the East and South China Seas, reiterating their adherence to a rules-based approach in resolving competing claims in maritime areas. In short, their cooperation is aimed to deal with the maritime advance of China.

 

In the joint press conference after the meeting, Kishida referred to deepened security relationship between both countries in current security environment which was getting severe and complicated. “I am grateful to have agreed on transfer of the air surveillance radar system to the Philippines as the first case of Japan’s OSA,” said Kishida. “Philippines and Japan share the concern on the same security issue. I hope that the OSA will contribute to capacity building,” said Marcos, reminding of his concern against China.

 

Japan has been maintaining a close relationship with Philippine among the nations of ASEAN. As Marcos indicated, Japan and Philippines share the interest in the region, where Japan needs to secure safety of maritime transportation. Both countries will geographically be affected by the possible contingency in Taiwan Straits. For Japan, Philippines is a key country in counteracting China’s strategy of ruling the sea inside the First Island Chain or One Belt One Road porojects.

 

Philippines will be the third country, following United Kingdom and Australia, for Japan to make the “semi-ally” relationship. Marcos is regarded as the leader who does not seek a closer relationship with China than his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte did. Japan looks like taking the opportunity for reinforcing the bilateral relationship with Philippines and building a regional security framework against China.

 

It is likely that China will have growing concern against Japan’s foreign policy toward Southeast Asia. While there are some actions marking some improvements in Japan-China relations, such as Japan-Republic of Korea-China trilateral environment ministers’ meeting held in Nagoya, it is possible that Japan’s approach to Philippines disturbs the trend. It is also undeniable that Japan will be dragged into the dispute between Philippines and China over China’s military advance in South China Sea.

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