Politics & Security

Elevating the Partnership with the Philippines to Deter an Aggressive China

China's belligerent and unlawful behavior in the South China Sea is increasing, prompting new and unprecedented cooperation between Japan and the Philippines.

Published

4 months ago

July 10, 2024

The Sankei Shimbun

Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa signs the "Reciprocal Agreement on the Promotion of Defense (RAA)." From the back left, Defense Minister Kihara and Philippine President Marcos, in Manila on July 8. (©Kyodo)

On Monday, July 8, Japan and the Philippines signed a landmark reciprocal access agreement (RAA). Negotiated in record time, the agreement will facilitate joint training and cooperation between the services of the two countries. Those are anticipated to include improved interoperability, disaster relief and other cooperative activities.

Earlier, on July 1, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and Philippine Navy were exploring a "sister unit" partnership. Historically, these alliances have been with the United States Navy. Vice Admiral Akira Saito, Commander in Chief of the Self-Defense Fleet, disclosed that the proposal came from the Philippines. The aim is to strengthen ties with the Philippine Navy and deter Chinese naval activities that seek to alter the status quo by force.

During a press briefing prior to the fleet's 70th anniversary celebration, Commander Saito expressed the strategic benefits of this initiative. "Strengthening our ties with the Philippine Navy is effective. We plan to formalize this partnership promptly," he remarked. He added that they are currently assessing which JMSDF unit would best fit this role.

Commander Saito noted that the Philippines had extended the proposal at a May 10 meeting, where they first participated as observers. Fleet commanders from Japan, the United States, Australia, and South Korea, participated in the gathering.

*Members of the Self-Defense Forces Tokushima Aviation Training Group see off a TC90 training aircraft heading to the Philippines on loan from Japan on March 23, 2017. (©Sankei by Soshiro Miyazawa)*

Pulling Relations Closer

Sister units are established between militaries to confirm mutual friendship and promote exchanges. In that sense they are similar to sister city relationships between international municipalities.

Traditionally, these partnerships have been formed with US Navy ships forward-deployed in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, and Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture. Additionally, such partnerships include JMSDF aviation and maintenance units collaborating with their US counterparts.

Since 2017, the Ministry of Defense has provided JMSDF TC-90 training aircraft to the Philippine Navy at no cost. The Philippine Navy uses these aircraft for surveillance activities. Additionally, the JMSDF supports the Philippine Navy with pilot training and aircraft maintenance. It is likely that the Philippines' proposal for the sister-unit partnership will further strengthen inter-unit exchanges with the JMSDF.

*Philippines, American, Japanese and Canadian vessels carry out a training exercise called "cooperative maritime activities" in the South China Sea on June 16. (Photo provided by the Japan MSDF)*

Responding to Chinese Aggression

Aggressive Chinese behavior is intensifying in the territorial dispute between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea. On June 17, a Chinese Coast Guard ship created a confrontation when it boarded a Philippine vessel en route to a Philippine military base at Second Thomas Shoal. In the process, the Chinese Coast Guard temporarily detained the Philippine vessel's crew.

Top military leaders from Japan, the US, Australia, and the Philippines agreed in May to jointly counteract China's unlawful and assertive maneuvers in the region.