“BREAKING: Japan and Philippines strengthen defense ties with new security pact, amid rising China tensions.”
The Philippines and Japan signed an essential military deal in the context of rising tensions over the South China Sea, Japan Philippines defense agreement, allowing the deployment of their forces on each other’s soil. It was yesterday reported that the Philippine and Japanese governments signed a crucial military deal allowing their respective forces to be deployed in each other’s territory amid rising tension in the South China Sea.
Read the latest on the bilateral agreement and its implications for regional peace and stability.
The Japanese Foreign Ministry had a statement issued that same evening, saying “The RAA will facilitate the implementation of cooperative activities, such as joint exercises and disaster relief, between Japan and the Philippines, and improve interoperability between forces of the two countries.” This shall “further promote security and defense cooperation between the two countries and firmly support peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.”.
The Philippines is only the third country, after Australia and the United Kingdom. Japan had outright signed a reciprocal access pact and added that Tokyo is currently negotiating a similar deal with France.
Japan and its pact with other countries
In April, the Biden administration hosted the first Japan-U.S.-Philippines Summit in Washington. It was agreed that the three countries would “further deepen security and defense cooperation. It also includes dialogues among the defense authorities and joint exercises as well as cooperation in maritime safety and security.”
The RAA signing drew a testy reaction from a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, who brought up Japan’s history as a Southeast Asian colonial power.
Why did Japan need such a pact?
According to Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa, bilateral security cooperation is a prerequisite for peace and prosperity in the region. Therefore, the pact will heighten security and defense cooperation between both countries. Hence, it will help in the strengthening of stability and peace within the Indo-Pacific.
Beijing has rebuked the pact, saying the Asia-Pacific region does not need any military bloc or groupings that incite confrontation.
On the probable reaction from China, Hayashi said it is not targeting any country. In fact, the pact of the chief government spokesperson aims to preserve and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law.
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