President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have agreed to bolster Manila and Tokyo's defense and security relations as both country pushes for stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
In a joint statement, the two Asian leaders resolved to "increase the defense capabilities of their own countries, and further strengthen overall security cooperation" through strategic reciprocal port calls and aircraft visits, transfer of more defense equipment and technology, continuous cooperation on previously-transferred defense equipment, and capacity building.
"In concrete terms, the leaders affirmed to strengthen efforts to complete transfer of air-surveillance radar systems, and for its related personnel training," the statement reads.
President Marcos, in a press conference, said that the strategic partnership between the two country is now "stronger than ever as we navigate, together, the rough waters buffeting our region."
The leaders also welcomed the signing of the terms of reference concerning Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) activities of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) in the Philippines, which aims to simplify the procedures for visits to the Philippines by the JSDF, as one of the efforts to enhance and facilitate cooperation on HADR.
Likewise, Marcos and Kishida concurred to continue to consider ways to “further advance defense cooperation including through frameworks that will enhance and facilitate education and training exchanges as well as reciprocal visits of defense and military officials.”
Marcos referred to Japan’s useful defense equipment transfer program and the potential for deepening collaboration, joint work, and interoperability.
The two leaders also welcomed the progress of bilateral defense exchanges such as through the Vice Minister’s Defense Dialogue in December 2022, Staff Talks in July 2022 and the Japan-Philippines Military-to-Military Meeting in October 2022.
Marcos also recognized Japan’s intention to establish a new cooperation framework for the benefit of the armed forces and other related organizations of recipient countries for the purpose of deepening security cooperation.
This is in regards to the development of a Subic Bay support base for the Philippine Coast Guard, which could serve as the home of Japan-made 97-meter-class patrol vessels.
