Japan pushes Philippines, US to form anti-China security framework

The proposal to set up a 3-way framework was put forward by Tokyo to boost deterrence against Beijing and prepare for a potential crisis over Taiwan

Japanese and US officials reportedly want to expand the framework beyond dialogue to trilateral defence cooperation and exercises in the near future

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Japanese and US vessels during a maritime drill in the South China Sea in November 2021. Photo: Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force

Published: 3:01pm, 29 Mar 2023Updated: 9:42pm, 29 Mar 2023

Japan, the Philippines and the United States plan to set up a trilateral framework involving their national security advisers, officials familiar with the matter said recently, amid China’s growing military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.

Their first discussions under the new scheme may take place as early as April, said Eduardo Ano, security adviser to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr. Ano said he is “willing to attend” the meeting although details, including which country will host the talks, remain fluid.

An aide to Ano separately disclosed on Friday that the proposal to initiate a three-way security dialogue was put forward by Japan which, with the US, believes that forging closer ties with the Philippines is essential for boosting deterrence against Beijing and preparing for a potential crisis over Taiwan.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and his Japanese counterpart Takeo Akiba are expected to be the two other representatives at the envisioned meeting, according to a US government source.

Japanese National Security Adviser Takeo Akiba is expected to be at the envisaged meeting with his counterparts from the US and the Philippines. Photo: Reuters

Another US government source said the trilateral meeting is likely to take place after the US and the Philippines hold security talks involving their foreign and defence ministers in Washington on April 11.