By Shannon Tiezzi
Philippine President Benigno Aquino visited Japan Tuesday, another signal of closer ties between the two countries.
In a Tokyo meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Philippine President Benigno Aquino expressed his support for Abe’s attempt to circumvent a constitutional ban on collective self-defense. As Clint noted over on our Tokyo Report blog, Abe’s LDP party is close to getting Cabinet approval for a new interpretation of Article 9 that would allow Japan to aid its allies in the case of conflict.
Aquino stated that he welcomed an increased security role for Japan. Aquino told reporters, “We therefore do not view with alarm any proposal to revisit the Japanese Constitution if the Japanese people so desire, especially if this enhances Japan’s ability to address international obligations and bring us closer to the attainment of our shared goal of peace, stability and mutual prosperity,” according to Japan Times. Aquino also said that “nations of goodwill can only benefit if the Japanese government is empowered to assist others,”Reuters reported. As a fellow U.S. ally, the Philippines believes it will benefit if Japan beefs up its security presence in the region.
Read the full story at The Diplomat