Japan and the Philippines’ foreign and defense ministers will meet on July 8, 2024, for a 2+2 meeting in Manila.[1]The primary topic for the meeting will be signing a reciprocal access agreement (RAA), which is critical for regional security. These agreements allow two states’ military forces to visit each other’s territories.
The Philippines, which frequently clashes with China in the South China Sea, is strengthening its defense relations with its neighbors and other Western allies to address this challenge. Japan, like the Philippines, engaged in a long-standing rivalry with China over the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea and is looking to establish a strong alliance with the Philippines on this matter.
Both countries see China as an economic partner, yet they also see it as a challenge for regional security. In recent years, the Philippines’ view of China has changed, and it has led to a shift in bilateral relations. However, under Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration, deepening ties with the US have negatively affected its relations with China.
Experiencing pressure from Washington, Manila has adopted a firmer stance on its regional security matters. Even though the Philippines has developed its economic cooperation with China, it has been affected by the US in terms of its regional security. Hence, the Philippines is pursuing a partnership with Japan in order to support the US in its strategy to limit China’s influence.
Japan’s relations with China have always been marked by ups and downs, involving periods of tensions and conflicts. Yet, trade and investment relations between China and Japan remain strong. Politically, Japan frequently criticizes China and adopts a balancing strategy by cooperating with its allies.
The Philippines is crucial in Japan’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” strategy.[2] It is important to recall that on 3-4 November 2023, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio officially visited the Philippines and engaged in matters with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Both sides assured their strategic partnership and commitment to the rules-based international order.
As a demonstration of the strong diplomatic ties between the two nations, Kishida delivered a speech, a first for a Japanese leader, in a special joint session in the Philippines Congress. During this visit, Japan donated a coastal radar system to “enhance the Philippine Navy’s maritime awareness capabilities.” In addition, Tokyo provided new ships and aircraft to the Philippines.
Under the latest defense agreement, both sides will benefit from mutual deployment in military operations, including humanitarian and disaster efforts. Manila has similar agreements only with Washington and Canberra for now. If the agreement gets signed, Japan will have its first Reciprocal Access Agreement with a Southeast Asian country.
Some signs indicate Japan’s security efforts with the Philippines will continue. Both countries are concerned about escalating competition among major powers in the region. Both face territorial and maritime disputes with China in the South China Sea and East China Sea. As island nations, Japan and the Philippines share a common strategic interest in peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, which is marked by numerous flashpoints, including the Taiwan Strait, lately.[3]
Signing a Reciprocal Access Agreement between the Philippines and Japan might trigger tensions in their relations with China. Strengthened military cooperation between the Philippines and Japan might be perceived as a potential threat by China. In a period where China seeks regional cooperation, peace, and moderation[4], such agreements might trigger regional tensions.
Japan and the Philippines’ defense alliance subtly advances American containment policy toward China. In order to reduce China’s dominance in the area, the US and its allies in the Asia-Pacific region have strong defense cooperation. Japan and the Philippines have long-standing defense ties with the US. Both countries have signed security agreements with the US and played a crucial role in the US regional security strategies. As a result, the defense alliance between Japan and the Philippines represents the bloc strategy that the US has recently adopted in the Asia-Pacific.
A significant alliance between the United States, Japan, and the Philippines is emerging in the Asia-Pacific region. This trilateral partnership indicates that the Asia-Pacific area is becoming a part of the global bloc that is being formed. Even though the parties claim they are allying to maintain stability and security, this might have a negative impact on the security of other regional actors. In this sense, by forming a cooperative defense system against perceived threats to regional security, the US, Japan, and the Philippines aim to preserve regional stability. A strong security network in the Asia-Pacific region is the goal of the Western bloc led by the US and its allies. The defense alliance between the US, Japan, and the Philippines might be seen as a cooperative network with a common interest in economic cooperation, regional security, and shared interests.
[1] “Philippines, Japan foreign and defence ministers to meet July 8 in ManilaPhilippines, Japan foreign and defence ministers to meet July 8 in Manila”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-japan-foreign-defence-ministers-meet-july-8-manila-2024-06-28/, (Date of Accession: 29.06.2024).
[2] “The Philippines-Japan Security Relationship: A New Golden Age?”, Fulcrum, https://fulcrum.sg/the-philippines-japan-security-relationship-a-new-golden-age/, (Date of Accession: 29.06.2024).
[3] Ibid.
[4] “China’s Xi calls for ‘bridges’ amid trade, diplomatic frictions”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinas-xi-calls-bridges-amid-trade-diplomatic-frictions-2024-06-28/, (Date of Accession: 29.06.2024).
