Strengthening Strategic Partnership Amidst a Complex Security Environment

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) interacts with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya during a working lunch in Tokyo on Tuesday. (AP pic)

Japanese Foreign Minister to Visit the Philippines

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya will visit the Philippines on January 14-15 to strengthen their strategic partnership amidst an "increasingly complex security environment", Manila’s Department of Foreign Affairs said on Friday.

Long-standing Allies of the US

The Philippines and Japan are longtime allies of the US, which has been strengthening its alliances from Canberra to Tokyo to counter China’s growing military might and influence in the region.

Bilateral Meeting and Cooperation

Iwaya will hold a bilateral meeting with his Filipino counterpart Enrique Manalo "to discuss political, defence, security, economic and development cooperation, as well as other areas of mutual concern", the foreign affairs department said in a statement. "Amid an increasingly complex security environment, they are expected to reaffirm the mutual commitment to further enhancing the ‘strengthened strategic partnership’ between the two countries and to seize new opportunities for cooperation," it added.

Defence Cooperation

In July 2024, the two countries signed a reciprocal access agreement, a key defence pact that allows them to deploy troops on each other’s soil. Japan has also been building the newest and largest ships of the Philippine Coast Guard, a key element of Manila’s efforts to assert its sovereignty in the South China Sea.

Security Assistance Programme

Last month, Tokyo granted Manila 1.6 billion yen (US$10.6 million) aimed at beefing up its naval capabilities through their official security assistance programme launched in 2023.

Conclusion

The upcoming visit of Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya to the Philippines is an important step in strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries amidst an increasingly complex security environment. The visit is expected to reaffirm their commitment to cooperation and to seize new opportunities for mutual benefit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the purpose of Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya’s visit to the Philippines?
A: The visit is to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries amidst an increasingly complex security environment.

Q: What are the areas of cooperation that will be discussed during the bilateral meeting?
A: The meeting will discuss political, defence, security, economic and development cooperation, as well as other areas of mutual concern.

Q: What is the significance of the reciprocal access agreement signed by the two countries in July 2024?
A: The agreement allows the two countries to deploy troops on each other’s soil, enhancing their defence cooperation.

Q: What is the purpose of the security assistance programme launched by Japan and the Philippines in 2023?
A: The programme aims to beef up the naval capabilities of the Philippine Coast Guard.