The Philippine Senate ratified a critical defense agreement with Japan on Monday, paving the way for the deployment of troops on each other’s soil and expanding joint military exercises. The move underscores both nations’ commitment to strengthening defense ties in response to growing security challenges posed by China's assertiveness in the region.
The pact, approved without dissent or abstention in the Philippine Senate, must now be ratified by Japan’s legislature before taking full effect, according to the Japanese Embassy in Manila.
“Ratifying the Agreement further affirms the strategic partnership between the two countries and their shared goal to enhance contributions to regional and international peace, security, and stability,” the Philippine Senate stated.
This agreement marks a significant milestone in the Philippines-Japan defense relationship, particularly in the maritime domain, where both nations face overlapping security concerns. It also aligns with broader U.S.-led efforts to strengthen alliances across the Pacific to counter Beijing’s territorial claims.
Shared Security Interests
The defense pact was finalized in July following seven months of negotiations, reflecting the deepening cooperation between the two U.S. allies. Despite the historical backdrop of Japan's World War II occupation of the Philippines, modern ties between Manila and Tokyo have evolved into a robust partnership grounded in shared defense objectives.
Japan, home to approximately 54,000 U.S. troops, faces persistent tensions with China over contested islands in the East China Sea. Similarly, the Philippines encounters frequent maritime clashes with Chinese vessels, particularly around a disputed shoal seized by Beijing in 2012.
Broader Regional Context
The agreement comes as Taiwan, strategically positioned between Japan and the Philippines, increasingly becomes a flashpoint in regional security. Beijing claims the self-governed island as its territory and has not ruled out using force to assert its claim.
China also asserts dominance over nearly the entire South China Sea, a vital waterway through which approximately $5 trillion in global trade flows annually. The international community, including an arbitral tribunal in 2016, has rejected Beijing’s expansive claims as lacking legal merit.
This new defense partnership between Japan and the Philippines underscores their commitment to bolstering regional stability amid escalating geopolitical tensions.
