Japan declares to join US, Philippines to ensure freedom in East Sea

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks at Malacanang Palace in Manila, Philippines, November 3 (Photo: Reuters).

"In the South China Sea, trilateral cooperation to protect freedom of the seas is underway," Kishida told the Philippine Congress in Manila on November 4, during an official visit.

A day earlier, Mr. Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. agreed to begin negotiations on a reciprocal troop access agreement to enhance military cooperation.

The reciprocal access agreement would be similar to the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) that the Philippines has with the United States. The VFA provides a legal framework for the United States to maintain a continuous but rotational military presence in the Philippines, primarily for joint military exercises.

The Philippines and Japan are two of America's closest Asian allies.

"Japan will continue to contribute to enhancing the security capabilities of the Philippines, thereby contributing to peace and stability in the region," Kishida said.

In March, Japan participated as an observer in joint US-Philippine military exercises. Three months later, the Philippine and Japanese coast guards trained together for the first time.

“Through these efforts, we will protect maritime order, which is governed by laws and rules, not by force,” Kishida said.

Mr. Kishida also said Japan has agreed to provide the Philippines with coastal surveillance radar, the world's first cooperation project under the Official Security Assistance (OSA) program, to help strengthen the deterrence capabilities of Tokyo's partner countries.

The radars will be placed in five separate areas along the Philippine coast, Kyodo reported on November 4, citing an unnamed senior Japanese government official.

According to Kyodo , these radars are fixed type and are used by the Philippine Navy for coastal surveillance.

Mr. Kishida visited the Philippine Coast Guard on November 4, then left Manila for Malaysia.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/nhat-tuyen-bo-cung-my-philippines-bao-dam-tu-do-tren-bien-dong-20231104154405797.htm