Philippines and Japan to Sign Key Defence Pact: Deployment of Troops on Each Other’s Territory

The Philippines and Japan are on the verge of signing a crucial defense pact that will allow the deployment of troops on each other’s territory. This agreement comes at a time when both countries are deepening their defense ties in response to China’s increasing assertiveness in the region.

Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa are set to hold high-level talks with their Philippine counterparts in Manila to finalize the agreement. The pact will provide a legal framework for both countries to send defense personnel for training and other operations on each other’s territory.

The negotiations for this pact have been ongoing since November, and Tokyo’s ambassador to Manila, Kazuya Endo, has indicated that they are close to conclusion. This agreement is seen as a way for the Philippines to enhance its interoperability with like-minded partners and strengthen its security partnerships within the US hub and spokes network.

The signing of this defense pact is significant in the context of escalating confrontations at sea between Chinese and Philippine ships, as well as tensions between Tokyo and Beijing over disputed islands in the East China Sea. The Philippines’ support is crucial for the United States in the event of any conflict, and Japan is seeking to play a larger role as an independent and stabilizing force in the region.

Overall, this defense pact signifies a deepening of ties between the Philippines and Japan, as well as their alignment with the United States in countering China’s growing military influence. The signing of this agreement is a significant development in the geopolitical landscape of the Asia-Pacific region.