New Japan–Philippines Defence Pact Strengthens Regional Unity as Tensions With China Grow
The Philippines and Japan have taken a significant step toward deeper security cooperation by signing two major defence agreements in Manila, marking a stronger alliance amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
One of the key agreements — the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) — will allow both countries’ military forces to share supplies, logistics, and services more efficiently during joint operations, training, and humanitarian missions. This pact follows a recently activated Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), which already allows Japanese and Philippine forces to operate more freely on each other’s territory.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, who signed the agreements, was on a strategic nine-day tour across the Middle East and Asia, visiting Israel, the Palestinian territories, Qatar, India, and the Philippines — reflecting Japan’s expanding global security role.
During his visit, Japan also announced US$6 million in Official Security Assistance to help the Philippines build facilities for rigid-hulled inflatable boats donated by Tokyo. These boats are expected to strengthen Manila’s naval and maritime patrol capabilities, particularly in contested waters.
Japan has been vocal about its concerns over increasing maritime disputes in East Asia, especially in the South China Sea. Tokyo has consistently opposed any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo and has reaffirmed its support for Philippine maritime security within a broader trilateral framework that includes the United States.
At a joint press conference, Motegi stated:
“The Philippines, Japan, and the United States share a common commitment to regional stability at a time when the strategic environment is becoming more challenging.”
Japan continues to support the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which rejected China’s expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea — a ruling Beijing refuses to accept.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro emphasized that both nations stand firmly behind the rule of law, freedom of navigation, and respect for international waters, describing Japan as a “vital and trusted strategic partner.”
The timing of Motegi’s visit is also significant. The Philippines has just assumed leadership of ASEAN, while tensions are escalating in the Taiwan Strait. Japan has warned that peace around Taiwan is critical to global security, noting that any conflict could have far-reaching consequences.
China claims Taiwan as its territory and has not ruled out using force, while Taiwan insists its future should be decided only by its people. This ongoing dispute has pushed Japan to modernize and expand its defence capabilities at an unprecedented pace.