On the world map, the Indo-Pacific stretches from the west coast of the Indian Ocean to the east coast of the Pacific Ocean and includes many island countries, mainland countries and maritime trade routes. The Indo-Pacific region, which has a geographically large area and hosts a significant portion of the world’s population, also includes the leading countries of the world economy and China, India, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, including Japan, are located in this region. The Indo-Pacific region also includes many island countries. It extends from countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia in Southeast Asia to island countries such as Fiji, Tahiti and New Zealand in the Pacific Ocean.
The relationship between Japan and the Philippines is important for strategic and economic co-operation in the Indo-Pacific region. Although the two countries have historically experienced difficult periods, they maintain strong co-operation and friendly relations today. Relations between the two countries cover a wide range of areas including trade, economy, security and infrastructure development.
Security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region consists of countries’ joint efforts to protect regional and global security, maintain peace and strengthen regional stability. This cooperation takes place in various fields such as military, diplomatic, economic and humanitarian assistance.
As the Indo-Pacific is home to major maritime trade routes and many strategic countries, security co-operation is particularly important in this region. In this context, the importance of security co-operation efforts between Japan and the Philippines is increasing.
Bilateral security cooperation between Japan and the Philippines includes a series of agreements, training programmes and military cooperation activities to respond to security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and promote regional stability. This co-operation aims to strengthen strategic relations between Japan and the Philippines, while at the same time tackling challenges that threaten regional security.
Japan and the Philippines are committed to maintaining maritime security and free shipping in the Indo-Pacific. In this context, the two countries organise joint naval exercises in the Indo-Pacific. The prevention of terrorism and the fight against terrorist groups are on the agenda of security co-operation between Japan and the Philippines.
Both countries cooperate in areas such as intelligence sharing and joint operations in the fight against terrorism. Military training and capacity building include efforts to enhance the capabilities of the two countries’ defence forces. Japan offers training and capacity-building programmes for Philippine military personnel, provides military equipment, and both countries conduct joint exercises.
Japan and the Philippines, in co-operation with other countries, are making efforts to maintain stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific. In particular, participation in regional cooperation forums, diplomatic initiatives and solidarity efforts in crisis situations are important forms of cooperation. Both Japan and the Philippines are countries that frequently face natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis and typhoons. In order to increase resilience to natural disasters and improve disaster mutual assistance and emergency response capacity, Japan and the Philippines are also engaged in security cooperation.
Japan and the Philippines signed a series of Military Training and Capacity Building Agreements, Security and Defence Cooperation Agreements, Maritime Security and Naval Exercises Agreements, Intelligence Sharing Agreements for bilateral security cooperation and military personnel training and capacity building programmes in the Indo-Pacific region. These agreements are intended to train, upskill and increase the military capabilities of Philippine military personnel and to regulate and coordinate defence cooperation and security cooperation activities between the two countries.
In 2011, Japan and the Philippines signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement. This agreement aims to strengthen relations between the two countries and promotes security co-operation. The Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) signed between the two countries covers areas such as security policies, intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism, military training and defence technology cooperation.
The Tiger Star Training Programme is one of the military training programmes provided by Japan to the Philippines. This programme aims to develop leadership, tactical, logistics and other military skills of Philippine military personnel. There are also various military cooperation documents between the two countries. These documents cover the organisation of military exercises, information sharing, maritime security, security coordination and crisis response. In addition, Philippine military personnel have opportunities to attend military schools in Japan. This situation helps the Philippines military personnel to increase their level of training. These agreements are important instruments to guide and regulate bilateral security co-operation between Japan and the Philippines and support efforts to maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific.
On 16 May 2023, Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa met with visiting Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo in Tokyo and they agreed to deepen bilateral security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The two ministers also agreed to strengthen trilateral cooperation involving the United States and expressed satisfaction with Japan’s decision to transfer defence equipment to the Philippines as part of security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. In April, Japan decided to transfer equipment to the armed forces of “like-minded” countries under the Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework. Accordingly, Japan will also provide equipment support to the Philippines for coastal surveillance operations.
In conclusion, bilateral security co-operation between Japan and the Philippines provides a framework for working together to address security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. This co-operation is crucial for enhancing regional stability and responding to security threats such as counter-terrorism. While Japan contributes to regional security by enhancing the Philippines’ defence capacity, this cooperation is effectively coordinated and balanced with other countries in the region.
