Japan, Philippines sign disaster relief deal, eye closer security ties
- The deal was part of seven agreements struck during an official visit by President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr to Tokyo, state media said
- Officials said the deal would make it easier to establish a broader legal framework allowing Japanese forces to deploy to the Philippines
Japan and the Philippines signed an agreement on disaster relief on Thursday, a deal seen as a precursor to closer security ties between the two nations at a time of heightened tensions with China.
The deal signing by officials from both sides was broadcast by Philippines state media. It was part of seven agreements struck during an official visit by President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr to Tokyo, state media said.
Japanese officials previously said that the disaster relief deal would make it easier to establish a broader legal framework allowing Japanese forces to deploy to the Philippines.
Some lawmakers in the Philippines have called for the country to sign a so-called visiting forces agreement with Japan, which allows them to deploy forces on each other’s soil. Tokyo recently signed such deals with Australia and Britain, and also hosts the biggest concentration of US forces abroad.
Marcos, who said his visit to Japan was aimed at forging “stronger defence and security cooperation” among other matters, last week signed an agreement granting the United States greater access to military bases in the Philippines.
Japan has previously provided the Philippines with patrol vessels and aircraft to help Manila enhance its monitoring capabilities in the face of the growing presence of Chinese civilian and military forces in the islands and reefs off its northwest coast.
The two sides agreed to sign at least seven agreements in areas other than disaster relief, including deals on infrastructure development, agriculture, information and communications technology as well as human assistance.
The key agreements are expected to boost their defence ties as Asia sees tensions around China’s growing influence.
Marcos’ visit to Japan comes soon after he and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin reached agreements on allowing the United States greater access to Philippine military bases to keep in check China’s territorial ambitions.
The defence arrangement between Marcos and Kishida would allow Japanese troops to join more training exercises and respond to natural disasters in the Philippines.
It could lead to similar agreements with other Southeast Asian nations.
The two island nations last year held their first “2+2” security talks between their defence and foreign ministers, agreeing to strengthen their defence ties.
Kishida’s government in December adopted key security and defence upgrades, including a counterstrike capability that breaks from Japan’s self-defence-only post-war principle, while also doubling its defence spending in five years.
Japan under the new strategy will also use its development assistance to support poorer nations as they strengthen their maritime safety and other security capabilities. It’s meant to counter China’s growing regional influence.
Japan has been expanding its military cooperation in recent years beyond its only ally, the United States, and forged close ties with Australia and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe.
Japan signed a Reciprocal Access Agreement, which removes obstacles to holding joint military exercises in either country, with Australia a year ago, and also with Britain last month.
Additional reporting Associated Press
