The Philippines and Japan have signed a new military agreement, allowing both sides’ armed forces to mutually supply fuel and ammunition, and strengthening bilateral military cooperation and readiness capabilities. At the same time, Japan will provide the Philippines with several million dollars in security assistance to improve the Philippine Navy’s equipment and infrastructure construction.
During his visit to Manila on Thursday (January 15), Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, along with Philippine Foreign Minister Lazaro, signed the 'Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement' aimed at promoting quick mutual supply of materials and services between Japanese and Philippine forces. This supply agreement is a further deepening following the previously signed Japan-Philippines reciprocal visit agreement.
Motegi stated that Japan’s Official Security Assistance program will provide the Philippines with 6 million US dollars (about 7.73 million Singapore dollars), to build facilities for storing the rigid inflatable boats donated by Japan, thereby enhancing the operational capability of the Philippine Navy.
Both the Philippines and Japan are important US allies in Asia. Motegi and Lazaro reaffirmed the importance of Japan-Philippines-US trilateral cooperation under the increasingly severe regional security environment.
In recent years, the Philippines and China have had frequent frictions over territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Japan continues to support the Philippines in modernizing patrol vessels and maritime surveillance systems. Bilateral military relations have deepened significantly, including conducting bilateral and multilateral joint exercises in the South China Sea.
Lazaro stated that both sides attach importance to upholding the rule of law principles such as freedom of navigation and overflight, and emphasized that Japan remains an important strategic partner for the Philippines.
During the meeting, both sides also exchanged views on infrastructure construction, economic security, agriculture, supply chains, semiconductors, and development in Mindanao, Philippines. Japan plans to provide approximately 1.63 billion yen (about 13 million Singapore dollars) in assistance for the construction of digital connectivity projects in southern Philippines.
Lazaro expressed gratitude for Japan’s support in economic and security fields, and pointed out: 'The signing of these agreements reflects the increasingly close cooperation under the framework of enhancing strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan.'