Japan and the Philippines Deepen Defense Ties

Minister of Defense, Shinjiro Koizumi, visited Manila, Philippines, and had a meeting with Filipino Secretry of National Defense, Gilberto Teodoro on May 5th. Both ministers signed on a statement in which both countries reached a deal to export used Japanese Abukuma-class destroyer to Philippines. It is expected that the contract will make the first case for Japan to export its lethal defense equipment after it removed restriction of weapons sales in April. 

Sanae Takaichi administration in April abolished five categories for exporting defense equipment, which had been rescue, transport, vigilance, surveillance and mine-sweeping. The decision enabled Japan to export lethal weapons for the first time in post-World War II era, leaving concern on weakening Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan, which renounces war as a solution of international conflicts.

 

The statement signed by Koizumi and Teodoro directed bilateral discussion on exporting Abukuma-class destroyers. Both governments will establish a working group to coordinate cooperative policies including training for operation or maintenance of the vessels. Japan has built six Abukuma-class destroyers, loading high-quality missile and communication system, in between 1986 and 1989 and they are scheduled to retire by fiscal year 2027.

 

The Philippines is located on the first island chain, which China recognizes as the line for defending its own interest in Asia-Pacific region. China and the Philippines have been opposing each other over control of islands between them, including Spratly Islands where China is unilaterally building military facilities dismissing protest of Philippines. Japan has been accusing this action of China as unilateral change of status quo by force.

 

A joint press statement by Koizumi and Teodoro reaffirmed their strong opposition to unilateral attempts to change the status quo in East China Sea and South China Sea. They implied China’s intrusions into Japan’s territorial waters around Senkaku Islands and dangerous and coercive activities against the Philippines in South China Sea. They shared a notion that their bilateral cooperation would contribute to national resilience of both countries, as well as implementing Japan’s security concept toward the region called Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).

 

Japanese Self-defense Force for the first time joined Filipino-U.S. military exercise in the Philippines, Balikatan 26, from late-April to mid-May. Both ministers shared a recognition that participation of JSDF to the exercise would symbolize operational coordination of both countries in their press statement.

 

China expressed strong dissatisfaction on the joint statement by Koizumi and Teodoro. “We urge the relevant countries to stop forming blocs and stoking camp confrontation, and do more that truly contributes to regional peace and stability,” said a spokesperson of Chinese Ministry of National Defense, Jiang Bin. As Japan reacts Chinese advance to Asia-Pacific regions, embracing effectively containment policy against China called FOIP, the tension in this region gets high.

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