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The Philippines
This Week in AsiaPolitics

Will Japan’s ‘near alliance’ with the Philippines fuel China’s suspicions?

A formal alliance between Tokyo and Manila could lead to increasing tensions with Beijing in the Indo-Pacific region, an analyst warns

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A Japanese coastguard vessel sailing off the West Philippine Sea during joint drills with the Philippine and US coastguards in 2023. Photo: Jeoffrey Maitem
Jeoffrey Maitem
Japan’s view that its ties with the Philippines are at a “near-alliance status” has been welcomed as a sign of the commitment by both countries to tackle their perceived common threats, even as analysts warn that any formalisation towards deeper security cooperation could worsen regional tensions.

Speaking in Tokyo on May 28, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya hailed the close partnership in the presence of Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.

Iwaya and Manalo discussed strengthening defence cooperation, including a prospective agreement for Japan and the Philippines to share classified information, according to a statement released by the Japanese embassy in Manila.

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They discussed the progress of the implementation of the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), a pact signed in July last year aimed at enhancing maritime security in the South China Sea amid China’s growing assertiveness in the disputed waters.

The RAA allows the deployment of Japanese and Philippine forces for joint military drills in each other’s territory. Both countries have also started talks on boosting economic collaboration and supply chain resiliency and working towards such an agreement.

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Tokyo and Manila face similar maritime challenges in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, respectively, while their military alliances with Washington have also deepened China’s suspicions, particularly over the nearby Taiwan Strait, according to analysts.
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