Japan’s used destroyers head to Philippines to counter China

The export plan involves six Abukuma-class vessels in service by Tokyo’s navy for more than 30 years

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A Japanese navy destroyer docks at the Port of Manila, Philippines, on June 21. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 1:45pm, 6 Jul 2025Updated: 1:46pm, 6 Jul 2025

Japan will export used navy destroyers to the Philippines to strengthen its deterrence against China’s maritime expansion, the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Sunday, as the two US allies increase cooperation to counter Beijing.

The export plan involves six Abukuma-class destroyer escorts in service by the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force for more than three decades, the Japanese daily said, citing multiple unnamed government sources.

Defence ministers Gen Nakatani and Gilberto Teodoro agreed to the destroyer export when they met in Singapore last month, the Yomiuri said, adding the Philippine military is set to inspect the destroyers this summer as part of the final preparations.

A Japanese defence ministry spokesperson declined to comment on the report. A Philippine military spokesperson and China’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Tokyo and Manila say they face challenges from Beijing’s increasingly assertive moves in waters including the South China Sea for the Philippines and the East China Sea for Japan.

Bilateral military cooperation has included joint exercises, a Japanese radar aid package and a high-level strategic dialogue. Last year, they signed a reciprocal access agreement, the first such deal for Japan in Asia, allowing the deployment of forces on each other’s soil.

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