By Prashanth Parameswaran
Both sides will reportedly ink an agreement in principle on military technology.
Japan and the Philippines are expected to conclude a deal this week on the sidelines of a regional economic summit paving the way for Tokyo to supply Manila with military equipment that could be used in the disputed South China Sea, Reuters reported November 16.
Though Japan and the Philippines have long had a close relationship, growing anxieties 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 Strengthen Strategic Partnership”). In January, as I reported for The Diplomat, the two sides had signed a memorandum of understanding outlining specific steps to enhance defense cooperation which included capacity-building and collaboration on defense equipment and technology (See: “Japan, Philippines Boost Defense Ties”).
Now, in a further indicator of deepening defense relations, sources in Tokyo have disclosed to Reuters that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Philippine president Benigno Aquino III will announce an agreement in principle on military technology following their meeting Wednesday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Manila.
Read the full story at The Diplomat