Defense Minister Kihara, Foreign Minister Kamikawa, Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo, and Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro pose for a photo after the Foreign and Defense Ministerial 2+2 press conference in Manila on July 8. (©Kyodo)
Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defense Minister Minoru Kihara visited Manila and held 2+2 consultations with their Philippine foreign and defense ministerial counterparts on July 8. They then participated in a signing ceremony for a new reciprocal access agreement with the Philippines. The RAA will facilitate joint drills between the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and the Philippine military.
During the 2+2 talks, the two sides agreed to bolster defense and security cooperation. This includes the promotion of interoperability between the SDF and the Philippine armed forces. On this, they had deterring China very much in mind. At a joint press conference, Defense Minister Kihara correctly noted that signing the new RAA provides the impetus for strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation by our two nations to help make the free and open Indo-Pacific concept a reality.
Japan-Philippine Friendship
Japan and the Philippines share a commitment to fundamental values such as freedom and democracy. Furthermore, both are allies of the United States. The Philippines is the third nation to conclude an RAA with Japan, following Australia and the United Kingdom. We should also strive to create a quasi-alliance with the Philippines like the ones we have with the UK and Australia.
After the RAA takes effect, the SDF and the Philippines military can smoothly conduct joint exercises and disaster relief operations in each other's country. The current Japanese government under Prime Minister Fumio Kishida intends to send SDF units to participate in the annual joint US-Philippine military exercise Balikatan. (The name of the exercise is derived from the Tagalog word meaning "shoulder-to-shoulder.")
'First Island Chain' Countries
Japan and the Philippines are two maritime nations of the "First Island Chain." Respectively, they are also situated north and south of Taiwan, which is in danger of being invaded by China. That being so, it was perfectly natural that the 2+2 talks should stress the "importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."
China made a sweeping claim to sovereignty in an area enclosing most of the South China Sea. However, in 2016 the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in the Hague firmly rejected China's claim. Nevertheless, China continues to use aggression through its navy and coast guard to pressure the Philippines.
For example, in June of this year, the Chinese Coast Guard used weapons and punctured a boat flying the Philippines flag. Then it was seized. This happened inside the Ayugin Shoal lagoon (Second Thomas Shoal) in the South China Sea, under the Philippines' administration. Seven members of the Philippine military were injured, with one losing a finger. Furthermore, the Chinese blocked the Philippines' evacuation of the injured Philippine soldiers.
The joint press release issued following the 2+2 meeting in Manila expressed serious concern about this and a series of problematic actions by the Chinese. It furthermore strongly condemned China's attempts to alter the status quo through force.
Keeping the Sea Lanes Free and Open
The South China Sea to the west of the Philippines and the waters to the east of the country are both extremely important sea lanes for Japan. It is in Japan's national interest that the Philippines not become subservient to China. The Philippines should prosper as an independent nation that respects international law.
The Ground Self-Defense Force's defense of the Nansei island chain stretching from Kyushu to Yonaguni near Taiwan can serve as a model for the defense of the Philippines. Visits by Maritime Self-Defense Force units to the Philippines can provide training to improve Philippine capabilities. Japan Coast Guard support to help train the Philippine Coast Guard is also important.
The time has arrived for Japan-Philippine and Japan-US-Philippine security cooperation. Both are necessary to enhance deterrence in the face of an aggressive China.
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(Read the editorial in Japanese.)
Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
