Japan to Join US-Philippines Training Exercise in South China Sea
In response to China's growing naval presence in the region, Japan plans to participate in a joint training exercise with the United States and the Philippines in the South China Sea. This decision is expected to be endorsed by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, US President Joe Biden, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during their first-ever trilateral summit in Washington on April 11th.
The proposed naval drill aims to strengthen trilateral security cooperation, similar to the existing partnership between Japan, the United States, and South Korea. As part of this effort, Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force will participate in the joint training exercise or patrol activity planned by the US and Philippine militaries in the South China Sea.
This collaboration reflects the strengthening security ties between Tokyo and Washington with Manila, particularly since Marcos, a strong advocate for US relations, assumed power in June 2022. Last year, coast guards from the three countries conducted a joint training exercise.
Furthermore, Japan intends to elevate the Philippines' status to "quasi-ally," similar to Britain and Australia. During his meeting with Marcos in Manila last November, Kishida agreed to provide coastal surveillance radar equipment to the Philippine military under Japan's official security assistance program.