Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba yesterday held talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, in a move to advance security and economic ties between two of Washington’s closest Asian allies amid rising Indo-Pacific tensions.
Ishiba’s visit to the Philippines comes at a crucial time, with both nations confronting growing concerns over regional security and China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea, while navigating global trade tensions sparked by sweeping US tariffs, and increased friction between the US and China.
Ishiba said he discussed with Marcos the far-reaching impact of US-China trade tensions on the global economy and multilateral free-trade frameworks. He assured Marcos he would heed the concerns of Japanese companies operating in the Philippines to find solutions.
Photo: Reuters
The two leaders also explored ways to further defense and economic ties, with talks centered on Japan’s official security assistance program, of which the Philippines was among the first beneficiaries.
Ishiba said that Japan and the Philippines had started talks on a potential information security agreement, which would enable exchanges of confidential information and boost security cooperation.
Japan and the Philippines last year signed the Reciprocal Access Agreement, the first of its kind Japan has signed in Asia, that would allow deployment of forces on each other’s soil.
While the Philippines has ratified the pact, it still awaits legislative approval in Japan. Once in place, it would ease the entry of equipment and troops for combat training and disaster response.
Ishiba and Marcos also commited to promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific, and upholding a rules-based international order.
“I hope that our two nations will continue to closely communicate with each other to oppose attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China seas by force or coercion,” Ishiba said at a joint news conference with Marcos.
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