Philippines and Japan to discuss major defence pact to counter China

Japan and the Philippines said today that they will begin talks on defence pact that would allow them to deploy soldiers on each other’s territory.

Tokyo and Manila, longtime Washington allies, are strengthening their defence cooperation in order to resist China’s growing military pressure.

Following negotiations in Manila, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida made the announcement.

“We are cognizant of the benefits of having this arrangement both to our defence and military personnel and to maintaining peace and stability in our region”, Marcos stated in the presidential palace, standing opposite Kishida.

As part of a 600 million yen ($4 million) security assistance package, Marcos and Kishida said Japan would also give the Philippines a coastal radar surveillance system

Kishida’s visit Philippines is the first by a Japanese prime minister since 2017. Today, he is the first Japanese leader to address a special joint session of Congress.

During World War II, Japan attacked and controlled the Philippines, but the two countries have since grown closer due to trade and investment, and more recently, China’s growing assertiveness.

The agreement establishes the legal framework for the countries to send defence personnel to each other’s territory for training and other missions.

Japan has linked similar treaties with the United Kingdom and Australia in the last two years.

The Philippines has visiting troops treaties with the United States and Australia.

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