Arrangements are underway for a trilateral meeting between the leaders of Japan, the United States, and the Philippines next month. The meeting will focus on strengthening military ties among the three nations.
The summit will take place in conjunction with the scheduled meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and U.S. President Joe Biden on April 10. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to join the two leaders.
Both Japan and the Philippines have territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea. The meeting will provide an opportunity for the three countries to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in the face of escalating tensions in the region.
Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa will visit the Philippines on March 20 to meet with her counterparts and prepare for the summit. The foreign ministers will explore avenues for strengthening cooperation in response to the increasing number of maritime incidents between the Philippines and China.
Marcos has prioritized strengthening ties with the United States since taking office in 2022. Japan and the United States have also taken steps to bolster their bilateral relationships.
During a meeting in November, Kishida and Marcos agreed to upgrade their bilateral relationship, designating Manila as a "quasi-ally." They also agreed to work towards signing a Reciprocal Access Agreement, which would facilitate joint training exercises between the Self-Defense Forces and the Philippine military.
Japan has also pledged to provide funding for the Philippines to acquire a coastal surveillance radar system.
Prior to her trip to the Philippines, Kamikawa will attend a ministerial-level meeting at the United Nations on March 18 to discuss nuclear arms reduction and nonproliferation. Japan currently holds the presidency of the U.N. Security Council.