The Philippine Coast Guard recently observed a Chinese Coast Guard vessel shadowing their resupply mission at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, adding to the existing tension in the region. Responding to China's expanding naval presence in the area, Japan is planning to join the United States and the Philippines in a joint training exercise in the South China Sea as part of their strategic response.
The upcoming naval drill is anticipated to get approval from Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, U.S. President Joe Biden, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the first-of-its-kind three-nation summit scheduled in Washington on April 11. This move aims at strengthening trilateral security cooperation to align with the collaboration between Japan, the United States, and South Korea. Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force will participate in the joint training exercise or patrol activity planned by the U.S. and Philippine militaries to reinforce the benefits of three-way security cooperation.
Since the time Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assumed power in June 2022, Tokyo and Washington have been intensifying security relations with Manila. In a show of support for this partnership, coast guards from the three nations already engaged in a joint training exercise last year, signaling a growing alignment in their security strategies. Additionally, Japan is considering elevating the status of the Philippines to a "quasi-ally," akin to countries like Britain and Australia. This elevation in status reflects the deepening security ties and mutual interests shared among Japan, the United States, and the Philippines in countering regional challenges, particularly concerning the South China Sea.