Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is in the Philippines this week for a visit aimed at strengthening the nation’s alliance in response to rising tensions with China. The visit, which began Tuesday, marks the beginning of a two-day diplomatic trip that will focus on key regional security concerns, including China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea and East China Sea, as well as the ongoing trade challenges posed by U.S. tariffs.
Strengthening Alliances with the Philippines
Ishiba’s visit comes at a time of growing geopolitical tensions in the region. The Japanese leader is set to meet with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos in Manila, where the two leaders will discuss several critical issues, including the escalating actions by China in disputed waters. The focus will be on reinforcing their three-way security partnership with the United States and addressing economic challenges, particularly the tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Officials from both countries have confirmed that discussions will include plans to negotiate two important defense agreements later this year. One of these agreements involves logistical support for joint military training, while the other will address the secure exchange of sensitive defense and military information between Japan and the Philippines.
Defending Shared Interests in the South China Sea
A significant part of Ishiba’s visit will be dedicated to the ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea and East China Sea, where China has increasingly exerted its influence. In a press statement before departing for Vietnam and the Philippines, Ishiba expressed Japan’s commitment to strengthening security cooperation with its regional allies.
China has been accused of using aggressive tactics to assert its territorial claims in the South China Sea. Chinese coast guard and navy ships, often accompanied by militia vessels, have been involved in incidents where they blocked or rammed Philippine and Vietnamese vessels, sometimes using powerful water cannons. The situation has raised concerns about regional stability and the safety of commercial shipping routes.
China’s Expanding Military Presence
China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, a major international shipping lane, despite competing claims from Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, and the Philippines. To solidify its claims, China has militarized artificial islands in the region, increasing the presence of its coast guard and navy. The dispute has become a point of contention between China and other nations in the region, including Japan and the Philippines, who are both key U.S. allies in Asia.
In the East China Sea, tensions have also flared, with China routinely sending coast guard vessels and aircraft into areas claimed by both Beijing and Tokyo. Japan has responded by deploying fighter jets to protect its territorial waters, further escalating the military standoff.
US Tariffs: A Complicated Relationship
While Japan and the Philippines share a common interest in countering China’s regional ambitions, their relationship with the U.S. has become more complicated due to trade issues. President Trump’s tariff policies have created economic strain for both countries, especially for nations like the Philippines and Vietnam, which have seen significant impacts on their economies.
In a statement, Prime Minister Ishiba remarked that the U.S. tariff measures have negatively affected not only the Philippines and Vietnam but also Japanese companies operating in these countries. Ishiba’s visit will include meetings with Japanese business leaders in the Philippines, where he plans to discuss ways to mitigate the impact of these tariffs on the Japanese economy.
Japan’s Ongoing Support for Philippine Defense
As part of the trip, Ishiba will visit a Japanese war memorial in Laguna province before taking a tour of the BRP Magbanua, one of the largest patrol ships built by Japan for the Philippine Coast Guard. The Magbanua has been at the forefront of tense confrontations with Chinese forces in the South China Sea. In one notable incident last year, the ship was involved in a high-stakes standoff near the disputed Sabina Shoal, resulting in damage after a confrontation with Chinese coast guard vessels.
Japan has been a consistent supporter of the Philippines’ defense efforts, supplying a dozen patrol ships in recent years to help defend its territorial claims in the South China Sea. The two countries have also worked together to enhance the Philippines’ military capabilities, with Japan providing radars, defense equipment, and additional patrol ships for the Philippine military.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening Partnerships
This visit underscores Japan’s ongoing commitment to its regional alliances, particularly with the Philippines. As China continues to assert its territorial claims in the region, the need for strong security partnerships becomes ever more critical. Japan’s support for the Philippines, both militarily and economically, will likely remain a cornerstone of regional stability in the years ahead.