By Prashanth Parameswaran
Tokyo and Manila give their close relationship a further boost.
At a summit meeting on June 4, Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe visiting Philippine president Benigno Aquino III outlined a plan of action to strengthen their strategic partnership in the coming years.
As I have noted previously, Japan and the Philippines have long had a close relationship (See: “Japan’s ASEAN Charm Offensive”). When former Japanese prime minister Takeo Fukuda wanted to herald Tokyo’s new approach to Southeast Asia which had been marred by Japanese occupation during WWII, he chose Manila to deliver his famous “Fukuda Doctrine” speech in 1977. While economics has long been a major part of the relationship, growing anxiety about Chinese actions in the East and South China Seas have led both countries to strengthen their defense ties under a strategic partnership first inked in 2011 (See: “Japan, Philippines Boost Defense Ties”).
Aquino’s four day visit to Tokyo clearly gave the strategic partnership a further boost. Both sides issued a joint declaration praising their ‘strengthened strategic partnership’ and issued an action plan to further it still. Advances on the security side of the relationship were focused on maritime security, which is no surprise considering common concerns about Chinese assertiveness at sea (See: “Japan, Philippines Hold First South China Sea Naval Exercises”). Japan pledged to enhance the capacity of the Philippine Coast Guard, and the signing of a contract during Aquino’s visit between the Philippine government and the Japan Marine United Corporation for the acquisition of patrol vessels was evidence of progress in this regard.
Read the full story at The Diplomat