Philippine-Japan Leaders Meet: Both Countries Upgrade to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

(Tokyo, 29th, comprehensive report) The Philippines and Japan have officially upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership and agreed to launch negotiations on the “General Security of Military Information Agreement” (GSOMIA) aimed at sharing security-related confidential information. This agreement will allow Tokyo to increase the transfer of military equipment to Manila, including warships.

During a state visit to Tokyo on Thursday (May 28), Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. held bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takamichi. At the subsequent joint press conference, both leaders announced their agreement to upgrade bilateral relations and strengthen defense cooperation.

Takamichi said that in response to the increasingly severe strategic environment in the region, Japan will deepen its cooperation with the Philippines. “This reflects our determination, as like-minded nations, to enhance our relationship. Even in a constantly changing international environment, we will maintain this relationship.”

Marcos Jr. pointed out that the upgrade of Philippines-Japan relations not only reflects progress in the two countries’ cooperation in key areas such as security, maritime and defense, economic partnership, and infrastructure construction but also reflects their shared view on upholding international law and their continued expansion of cooperation in key emerging fields.

The Philippine and Japanese leaders agreed to officially launch GSOMIA negotiations and may also push cooperation through the “Official Security Assistance” (OSA) framework. These initiatives are seen as the two Asian neighbors, facing an increasingly strong Chinese military presence in surrounding maritime areas, drawing closer together at a rapid pace.

GSOMIA aims to establish a legal framework to ensure the safe exchange of sensitive military secrets between the two governments. Japan has signed similar agreements with the US, Australia, and South Korea. If negotiations with the Philippines are successful, it would be the first time Japan signs such a military information protection agreement with a Southeast Asian country. The OSA framework provides support to the military forces of like-minded countries.

With repeated confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels in disputed areas of the South China Sea, for Marcos Jr. establishing close ties with Japan fits the Philippine strategy of strengthening national security by drawing closer to the US and its allies.

On Tuesday (26th), Marcos Jr. arrived in Japan for a four-day state visit. Before his meeting with Takamichi on Thursday, he delivered a speech to the Japanese Parliament. He said, “As maritime democracies, the Philippines and Japan are committed to strengthening maritime security, ensuring our waters remain open, safe, and governed by rules rather than force.”

According to Kyodo News, in his speech, Marcos Jr. said that the Indo-Pacific’s rules-based order is being tested. “Our two countries have always firmly upheld international law, promote stability, and advocate for the peaceful resolution of disputes.”

Apart from defense, the Philippine and Japanese leaders also agreed to cooperate in the field of energy security. Both sides focused on a new initiative proposed by Japan to help Asian countries better cope with the global energy shock caused by the war in the Middle East.

Through a financial assistance framework totaling about US$10 billion (about RM39.676 billion) called the “Power Asia Initiative for Energy Resilience and Recovery” (POWERR Asia), Japan will promote support for oil reserves for energy-import-dependent ASEAN countries including the Philippines.

As this year’s ASEAN chair, the Philippines also agreed with Japan to study revisions to the Japan-ASEAN Economic Partnership Agreement to further strengthen economic cooperation.