- Japan and the Philippines are expected to sign the latest defense agreement between the two countries next week
- The deal will allow Tokyo to supply Manila with military equipment and technology
- The agreement is the first of its kind between two Asian nations
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines and Japan will be finalizing the deal on transfer of military equipment and technology that was earlier agreed on principle during last year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Manila.
The agreement between the two allied nations is expected to be signed next week and will facilitate the transfer of war-fighting equipment from Tokyo to Manila.
Japan has promised to help the Philippine Coast Guards (PCG) to acquire 10 patrol boats through financial assistance to beef up its maritime security amid the escalating tension between Manila and Beijing in the West Philippine Sea.
Other potential export items under the latest defense agreement are P-3C patrol aircraft and radar-related equipment.
The Tokyo-Manila deal is the first of its kind among Asian nations and was reached after Japan eased its constitutional restrictions on arms export; a move that triggered strong opposition from China.
The latest development came amid growing concerns on China’s deployment of surface-to-air missiles to the Paracel’s Woody Island off the coast of Vietnam a few weeks ago.
In November, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Philippine President Benigno Aquino III both acknowledged the significance of boosting the military and security ties between the two countries in the face of the growing challenge brought by China’s rapid militarization of island-features in the disputed waters.
“We shared deep concerns over unilateral actions to change the status quo such as the large-scale land reclamation and building of outpost in the South China Sea,” Abe said at the concluding ceremony of the APEC Summit last year. “At the same time, we confirmed the importance of partnership in the global community based on the rule of law to protect open, free and peaceful seas.”
Aquino, for his part, said that the envisioned agreement is a significant step towards enhancing the defense and security relations between the two nations, and at the same time, a pledge to the cooperation in advancing “shared advocacy for members of the international community to act responsibly.”
Japan is currently embroiled in a territorial dispute with China over control of Senkaku Island in the East China Sea, while the Philippines is in a bitter maritime conflict with the giant communist nation over Spratlys and other contested islets in the West Philippine Sea.
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