Philippines, Japan plan in-depth talks on free, open Indo-Pacific

TOKYO — Japan and the Philippines have agreed to have further bilateral discussions on addressing regional and international situations.

At the documents exchange ceremony with Philippine and Japanese officials at the Prime Minister's Office on Thursday, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that he and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “plan to have an in-depth exchange of views on regional and international situations including our collaboration towards realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific” as both leaders recognize “the severe and complex international situations.”

“President Marcos’ visit to Japan gives us a renewed momentum for our two nations to further upgrade our bilateral partnerships, we have seen in many areas over the recent years to an even higher dimension, and for us to make further contributions to the peace and stability of the region and the world,” Kishida said.

On Wednesday night, Marcos said that cooperation with Japan on the security of the region was “a new element to our relationship.”

“With regards to our security cooperation, I explained to the President [Marcos] such matters as Japan’s national security strategy and the President welcomed Japan’s commitment to the free and open international order based on rules,” Kishida said.

Following his meeting with Kishida, Marcos said, “I can confidently say that our Strategic Partnership is stronger than ever as we navigate, together, the rough waters buffeting our region.”

“The future of our relationship remains full of promise, as we continue to deepen and expand our engagements across a wide range of mutually beneficial cooperation,” Marcos said.

In a joint statement, released by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the two leaders affirmed their intention to enhance defense and security cooperation through bilateral consultations at all levels, including the Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting, the Vice-Ministerial Strategic Dialogue, and the Political-Military (PM) Dialogue.

The two leaders also resolved to "increase the defense capabilities of their own countries, and further strengthen overall security cooperation,” which will be done through strategic reciprocal port calls and aircraft visits, transfer of more defense equipment and technology, continuous cooperation on previously-transferred defense equipment, and capacity building.

"In concrete terms, the leaders affirmed to strengthen efforts to complete transfer of air-surveillance radar systems, and for its related personnel training,” the statement read.

Marcos and Kishida, likewise, welcomed the signing of the terms of reference concerning Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) activities of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) in the Philippines, which aims to simplify the procedures for visits to the Philippines by the JSDF, as one of the efforts to enhance and facilitate cooperation on HADR.

“The President and I welcomed the signing of the TOR concerning the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief activities of the Japan SDF and agreed to continue exploring a framework to strengthen and facilitate such activities as joint exercises,” Kishida said.

“We will also look into ways to promote our defense equipment and technology cooperation and to strengthen cooperation amongst Japan, the United States, and the Philippines,” the Japanese leader said.

Marcos, likewise, said that the signing of the TOR on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief “underscores our joint efforts to value human lives above all and to ensure that we remain resilient and responsive amidst natural and man-made disasters.”

Marcos and Kishida also concurred to continue to consider ways to "further advance defense cooperation including through frameworks that will enhance and facilitate education and training exchanges as well as reciprocal visits of defense and military officials."

The two leaders also welcomed the progress of bilateral defense exchanges such as through the Vice Minister's Defense Dialogue in December 2022, Staff Talks in July 2022, and the Japan-Philippines Military-to-Military Meeting in October 2022.

The President also welcomed Japan’s intention to establish a new cooperation framework for the benefit of the armed forces and other related organizations of recipient countries to deepen security cooperation. —NB, GMA Integrated News